..>^. 


V^T.'v! 


.^.X^^^^.^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


V 


/ 


o 


/, 


Si 


1.0 


I.I 


■so    "^ 

^        140 


—    6" 


2.5 
22 

1.8 


11.25  11114   IIIIII.6 


w^^i 


7 


RiotDgraphic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


■y 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


it-- 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


I'echnical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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D 
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10X  14X  18X  22X 


12X 


16X 


aox 


26X 


30X 


Zl 


24X 


28X 


32X 


e 

6tails 
)S  du 
nodifier 
tr  une 
ilmage 


es 


'  errata 
d  to 

It 

le  pelure, 

;on  d 


n 


ipw» 


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1 

2 

3 

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la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m^thode. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

*'^-**«'«*&S£ili^fel: 


t.^^m^i^la;im^&Si^6^^-^>--'>-^-^-^^'^' 


/?<;  •      >       ■'•  • 


/■-■  ■    ■> 


PR,IOE     J3S     OEISTTS. 


"-y^.-f.  -, 


pssgf^^fo^ 


THE  DOOMED  CITY! 


V*3 


R 


During  an  Appalling  Ordeal! 


,:^'»V 


# 


THE  CONFLAGRATIONS  IN  THE  WEST,  SOUTH  AND 
NORTH  DIVISIONS. 


Graphic  Sketches  from  the  Scene  of  the  Disaster. 


Enterprising  Y^ung  M^^ 

ShouM  know  ,l,a  CMunltlo.-  ..f  Bu.il>«l..  Men  .ppolnUd  .t  Six  ««*•  "^  •■••"• 
Fair*  ic.  d..i.-rn.lne  tho  mcrlU  of  competing  In.tltullon.,  have  Invariably  .Tvarded  Diplomas 
...d  Fir.»  fromlum.  to  the  niaytaew  Bu.luesa  CoU.g.  of  D.trolt,  for  the 
b«.t  .y-tem  of  Book-keepluir  and  Bu.ln...  Practice.  OfflcUl  repon  «y: 
"They  an.  admirably  adapted  for  preparing  young  n>en  »  accountant,  and  for  bu.lue.^ 
BrvMt  4  Hiratton  College.,  ..IvertUlng  that  they  u«e  tb«  >' Nayhew  Sy.tem.  of 
BMlneM  Study  «««  Practice,"  m  it  l«  "muck  more  eyatematlc  and 
complete    than    any    hentofore    In    u.e."       Vrepa™    for    bu«lne».,   and    wcce..   U    your.. 

ALONZO  ROLFE, 

CARRIAGE 

And  Harness  Repository, 
Urgest  in  the  State.  Defying  Competition  in  Prices. 


F.   L.   SEITZ   &   CO., 

gi  Gri^dd  St.,_SeUz^lock,  'DET'ROIT.  ] 

mmsi  amn  m  mm.  «i  mam  nm  umm.  j 

AT  UODEEATB  EATBa  f 


C.  SCHULENBURG, 
Billiard  Table  ]VIanufkaurer    i 

WITH  BBLAMBYS  PATENT  STSSL  ^IBB  CUSB10N8,  | 

GHAI.l.EN«ft:!       I  ""'    P'-"^  •?JJ'J"  ?*^i'„'^S'te"?t^hrCriuVhU^^^^  | 

„«  a^BlUlard  Table  Manufacturer    n  America  1.  wHHngti^^^^  ^^^   ^  ^     B 

Table,  iiwln.1  mine.   n«   to   »«'f""S'iSl^neVB    of    CuSllion-,  he    venturinj  a  like     l 
Durability,  Correctneee    and    J"»e»"*"J    •  be  tested  by  7  Committee  o!  Impar     | 
Siount  on  the' declnlon.     J  he  ^•'''f?»,''1^?""Vo   convince  th^^         of  the  .uperiority  of     I 
Z  ¥i1,i::";S.rCu'^,^U  ^fuAtr^^To-'^lSSt  Vw^nner  .hall^Upo-.  of  tb.  money  wo. 
by  giving  !•  for  .omo  oharliable  purpo.«. 


ng  Me" 

t«d  at  Six  State  and  Vnlan 

B  Invariably  awarded  Dlplamas 
■  Callege  of  Datrolt,  (or  the 
ractlce.  Official  reporv  aay: 
a  accouutanti  und  for  bualuett." 
ibu  ''IHaybicw  System  •! 
cli  more  ■ystematic  and 
busineiM,  and  suceeii  In  your*. 
1AVHEW,  Prealdent, 

liETROIT,  MICH. 

LFE, 

IITORY, 

Competition  in  Prices. 


&   CO., 


St 

'A  'LET'ROIT. 

ED  PAPER  DISCOUNTED. 


£S. 


t 


JURG, 
[anufafturer 

t\S&  CUSBIOKS, 

,d>  of  any  l*»V°'''^}>^\FV^ ^^^k       -- 
Ins  to  teat  the  meriU  of  hl»  BUHaro 
'orfcmanelilp  and  Style,  and    »  (• 
f    CuSmone,  he    venturin*  a  Uka     %     M 
be  tested  by  a  Committee  of  Impart     | 
ince  thTpubnio  of  the  auperiorlty  of     f 
Iner  ahall  dUpoM  of  the  money  won 


rho 

'uurr 

'4 


■^ 


I  J 


J 


r^ 


TT 


u 


U..    J 


.;  \X- 


E! 


The   atiove  Mi 
Cuurr  House. 
t.,.  ,   8.  "Tribi 
It  t<^  such  bulU 


L 


nWBMSM©  ^^mi  TWm  TSMM. 


Ti,.,     i,„,.n   M«ii   wliii'Vi  hiiB  been  piiiiraved  with  much  caro,  and  l^, 

^■^  l.:^^^^^^  cLrr'Tco^r  olflrV.  U:  Si";S"omee?the  •'  Time.  "  OOlee  the  Tremont.  Bn««.,  and  otl.er  hotel. 


1  ■;l'..•ll•li^^'  -*•"-'  -■'""--■  ■ 


THE  DOOMED  CITY. 


CHICAGO 


DURING 


AN   APPALLING  ORDEAL. 


THE  FIRE  DEMOH'S  CARNIVAL. 


The  Conflagrations  in  West,  South  and 
North  Divisions. 


GRAPHIC  SKETCHES  FROM  THE  SCENE  OF  THE  DISASTER. 


Prepared  and  Written  by  a  Journalist. 
D  ET  RO IT  : 

Published  riv  the  Michigan^  News  Company, 

1871. 


\ 


I 


W.  K.  TUUIS,  rRINTKB, 
81  Woodwwd  Ave. 

DlTBOIT. 


J    t 


ii 


i   I 


rtliiiti  irijii  Iti  ifciilifiiriii  f-iiiWiW 


\     *■ 


tl  I  S  T  O  R  Y 


I  ( 


GEEAT  FIRE  H  CHICAGO. 


GRAPHIC   DESCRIPTION   OF   THE   TERRIBLE  EVENT. 


SCBWKJSt,    IIVOII>KIVTS,    ETC. 


"  OstT  a  (Ire  In  the  West  Division." 

This  was  the  reply  to  anxious  etKinirors  or  ppiliaps  disinterestml  curiosity-seek- 
ers, as  a  bright  light  burst  upon  the  horizon  ami  illumined  the  district  »ituat«d 
between  the  southern  bend  of  Chicago  River  and  Jellierson  Street. 

Only  a  fire  on  the  West  Side— and  despite  tlie  eflforts  of  firemen,  despite  tho 
genius  of  human  skill  and  mechanism— lour  raagnillcent  blocks— magnificent  by 
reason  of  the  wealth,  industry  and  enterprise  they  represented— were  rediiced  to 
ashes,  only  tliree  or  four  structures  remaining  on  the  entire  area.  Vinegar  Works, 
Planing  Mills,  Box  Factories,  Lumber  Yards,  Wagon  Works— all  were  swept  like 
paper  from  roof  to  foundation,  and  fully  $500,000  sacrificed.  Amongst  the  heavy 
losers  were  Messrs.  Lull  and  Holmes,  Oweigle,  Sheriff  &  Sons,  Chapin  &  Son,  Pitts- 
burg, Fort  Wayne*&  Chicago  Railway  Co.,  Wilmington  Coal  Co.,  Boltzer  &  Co.  On 
Jefferson  Street  a  row  of  tenement  houses  were  consumed,  together  with  the  chattels 
and  personal  property  of  dwellers  therein,  who  narroely  escaped  with  their  lives. 
while  an  unfortunate  lady,  Mrs.  Margaret  Hadley,  was  so  blinded  and  smothered  that 
she  fell  upon  her  face  in  the  hall  of  her  residence,  and  naught  save  a  calcined,  charred 
and  ghastly  skeleton  remained  to  identify  the  ill-fated  victim. 

But  it  was  only  one  life,  ouly  a  loss  of  a  few  buildings,  only  a  loss  of  half  a. 
million  dollars.  The  Insurance  Companies  were  responsible,  were  sound ;  let  the 
merry  bells  ring  instead  of  the  loud  Are  alarms ;  let  the  gloom  of  an  hour  be  cleared 
before  the  glowing  progress  of  a  prosperous  people. 


It 


« 


III&TORY    OF    THE 


; 


IL  ton  hours  the  Western  conflasration  was  fovgolton  ;  in  ten  hours  a  rich,  enlor- 
prising,  pleasure-lovin-  poo,.le  wore  sketching  out  their  plans  for  Sunday  aranse- 
mentrrecreation,  and  devotional  exercises;  the  fashion  of  the  city,  tlie  poor  of  the 
city,  thousands  gathered  under  the  roofs  of  magnificent  churclies,  ^Inci.  in  the  short 
space  of  a  few  liours  were  to  fall  before  the  resistless  advance  of  Ih-  Are  fiend;  thou- 
sands entered  their  ofllces  and  finished  some  neglected  task;  thousands  yisited 
pleasure  resorts  or  listened  to  the  Orchestrion's  jangled  music,  in  a  northern  saloon; 
ihousands  promenaded  the  parks  or  visited  their  friends  and  arranged  future  specu- 
lative transactions;  whilst  in  the  evening  Turner  Ilall-lhe  great  German  Sacred 
Concert  establishment-was  packed  with  jubilant  humanity.  Then  the  Western  Light 
Guard  Band  struck  up  an  exquisite  selection  from  the  opera.  What  cared  the  gay 
mr^ses  for  the  howling  of  the  wind  or  the  mournful  warning  of  the  night  before  ;  let 
the  poor  feel,-let  the  rich  enjoy  themsolves-proceed  with  the  music,  pass  around 
tlic  glorious  Ithnn  Wdn,  and  drown  the  hurricane's  roar  without,  by  strains  of  music 
morl  exquisite  and  fascinating  than  the  famed  breathings  of  the  .Eolian  harp. 

But  there  is  an  alarm  of  fire;  the  door  keepar  looks  out;  the  manager  runs 
down  to  listen;  still  the  light  is  west-;  miles  away  in  fact-and  the  answer  to  en- 
quiries is:-"  O.ily  a  lire  in  the  West  Division."  "Only  a  fire  in  the  West  Division"  »s 
re-echoed  throughout  the  vast  assemblage -and  the  music  proceeds.  But  the  din 
grows  louder.:-the  bolls  ring  out  a  heart-rending  peal-;  the  sky  is  radiaut-and  the 
people  quietly  ret're  from  their  Sunday  evening  amusements.  At  the  Sherman,  Tre- 
mont,  Briggs,  Talmer  and  other  hotels,  successful  speculators,  bold  operators,  inter- 
ested'tourrts  are  calmly  discussing  various  .luestions  more  directly  concerning  them- 
gelves-when  the  "  clang,  clang,  clang,"  of  the  belh'  arouses  them.  "  Where  is  the 
fire  1 "     "  Oh.  way  up  in  the  West  Division,  I  think,"  answers  the  porter.     ■ 

But  the  bells  almost  speak-there  is  something  deathly,  awful,  supernatural  in 
their  wild  appeal.  The  streets  are  crowded  with  anxious  faces,  running  to  the  scene 
of  disaster-running  to  meet  the  foe  so  rapidly  advancing  upon  their  fortunes- 
families  and  liomes.  God  knows,  if  a  veil  could  close  out  the  black  spot  upon  the 
memory  of  those  who  witnessed  these  awful  scenes  which  followed,  humanity  would 
kneel  submissively  and  crave  the  boon  ;  heads  which  never  before  bowed  would  sink 
in  Christian  humility  ;  voices  wliich  never  spoke  save  to  curse  their  Croator-woakl 
beraised  to  thank  Him  for  his  great  goodness!  ...     -  ^    .  ' '., 

"  Clang,  clang,  clang !  "—and  through  streets,  across  squares,  clown  every  possible 
•thoroughfaro  iumdreds  of  excited  people  rushed ;  from  the  north-west  section  they 
came  lo  assist  the  firemen  and  sullerers ;  from  the  river  towards  the  west  dense 
masses  of  people  thronged,  wildly  screaming  fire,  fire,  /re-whilst  the  south-west 
wind-blowing  a  perfect  hurricane-hurled  clouds  of  dust  and  other  refuse  into  the 
eyes  of  the  exdted,  yelling  racing  crowd.  The  roar  and  hiss  of  the  flre  after  it  had 
fairly  started  is  indescribable;  it  seemed  as  though  a  large  pent-up  power  had  sud- 
denly sundered  the  shackles  which  bound  it  and  revengefully  burst  upon  its  victims. 
On  the  corner  of  De  Koven  and  Jefferson  streets,  the  scene  paralyzed  description:  the 


i. 


in  ten  houfs  a  rich,  enlor- 
plans  for  Sunday  aranse- 
f  the  city,  tlie  poor  of  the 
mrclies,  \Ylii(;ii  in  the  short 
nee  of  tliM  fire  fiend ;  thou- 
I  task;    thounands  Yisited 
uslc,  in  a  northern  saloon ; 
md  arranged  future  specu- 
-llie  great  German  Sacred 
'.    Then  the  Western  Light 
ipera.    Wliat  cared  the  gay 
ng  of  the  night  before  ;  let 
ith  the  music,  pass  around 
■ithout,  by  strains  of  music 
)f  the  .Eolian  harp. 
ks  out;  the  manager  runs 
ct — and  tliR  answer  to  en- 
ire  in  tli«  West  Division"  is 
sic  proceedH.     But  the  din 
tlie  sky  is  radiant— and  the 
its.     At  the  Slierman,  Tre- 
itors,  bold  operators,  inter- 
3  directly  concernhig  tliem- 
iises  tliem.     "  Wliere  is  the 
rers  the  porter.       ' 
thly,  awful,  supernatural  in 
faces,  running  to  the  scene 
sing  upon   their  fortunes — 
Lit  the  black  spot  upon  the 
1  followed,  humanity  would 
ir  before  bowed  would  sink 
:urae  their  Creator— would 

"  n 

iquares,  down  every  possible 
the  noith-west  section  they 
er  towards  the  west  dense 
_/tre— whilst  tlie  south-west 
'it  and  other  lefuse  into  the 
1  hiss  of  the  fire  after  it  had 
fge  pent-up  power  had  sud- 
fully  burst  upon  its  victims, 
le  paralyzed  description:  the 


GREAT    FIRE    IN    CHICAGO. 

five  had  spread  with  the  wind  and  darted  off  with  the  rapidity  of  lightning  ;  in  fact 
tr^    legitimately  its  progress  would  be  an  impossibility.    In  hai    an  hour  two 
olOockB  of  Are  spread  a  ghastly  radiance  between  Jetrerson  and  C  nton  s.ree  h 
oth      The  firemen-bruised,  exhausted  and  over  worked,  tore  do.n  bu  d-n^.  a^ 
eCe.l  to  head  off  the  fire  to  the  norU.-but  in  vain;  shrinking  mult.tu  es,  the 
vrtnlof  temporary  lunacy,  wild  with  afright  and  excitement,  closed  together  an^ 
::       ent  to  loud  lamentations;  they  cursed  and  Jostled  each  other,  knocked  one 
To  her  down,  trampled  over  females  in  their  mad  anxiety,  when  ,ho  flames    w.th 
lec  I  rapidi  y,  sp 'l  on  in  their  work  of  mad  destruction.     Building  after  bu  du,g, 
t^2  blod.   followed  in  au^ck  succession;  Taylor,  Far.uar,  Polk  and  Lwn,, 
!  rel  -ve  soon  in  flames,  whilst  hundreds  of  unfo,  tunate.s,  s.icv.flcmg  property     nd 
ea  tX  p«..essions_vacated  the  districts;  many  of  these  were  Gennans,  a  ,ew 
rrad  others  of  foreign  nationality.     One  unfortunate  woman  on  Polk  street  wa. 
to  an       r  a    he  up  ,er  window  of  a  bia.ing  building  and  wildly  display  a  ch.ld, 
::::       :;:^,  l—  to  a  mother.  i»stinct_she  would  not  part  wiU.  U. 
Ts  res  of  her  heart,  both  perishing  together.    Another  woman,  issued  from  a  bu.1.1- 
;     Ling  at  the  top  of  her  voice,  tearing  her  hair  and  calling  on  God  to  curs 
!lk  1  her    others,  happily  a  majority,  were  collected  calm  and  res.gned ;  wh.ls 
t Latin.,  t  ey  ga.ed  on  the  magnificent  buildings  which  boUlly  fronted  t.,e  Are,  as 
1  gh  t    dispute  its  passage  ;  there  they  felt  con.ident,  the  conflagrat.on  must  cease 
Cease -scarce  had  this  carnival  of  the  tire  fiend  commenced;   tb,s  was  but 
as   advanced    lines    of    skirmishers    to  p.epare  the  road  for  complete  desolat.on, 
o;,e  column  of  fire  held  its  way  alor.g  Clinton  and  Canal  street,  the  other  along  thnton 
and  Jefferson-moving  north-west  with  a  sullen,  angry  roar.     Fh.  and  wmd  coal- 
esced-a  bond  of  unity  see«.ed  established,  and  man  stood  abashed  m  the  presence  of 
the  terrible  progress  accomplished. 

..My  God,  the  fire  has  broken  out  in  the  South,-  was  neard  fom  the  hps  of  a  cU- 
.en  and  sure  enough  «.:hile  the  blanched  and   weary   toilers,  with  bloody   hands, 
burned  faces  and  many  with  torn  garments,  had  been  checking  the  progress  on  the 
west  Side,  a  suggestive  light  appeared  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Gas  Works,  between 
Adams  and  Monroe,  and  Wells  and  Market  streets.    Imn.cdiately  there  was  a  stam- 
pede in  that  direction,  though  the  atmosphere  by  tins  time  was  stiflling;  the  heat, 
dust   wind,  burning  cinders  and  scorching  ground  was  almost  unbearable ;  it  was 
maddening.     A  myriad  of  burning  cinders  had  been  hurled  over  one-flfth  of  a  m> le. 
impregnating  a  wooden  tenement  situated  as  above  described,  and  m  an  3n..aut,  w.  h 
the  rapidity  of  breath,  the  structure  was  wrapped  from  roof  to  foundation  m  a  seeth- 
ing blanket  of  flame !     The  fire  crackled  and  roared,  leaping  with  demomac  exulta- 
tion from  roof  to  roof ;  buildings  apparently  uninjured  suddenly  steamed,  smoked  and 
in  a  moment  flames  darted  from  beneath  the  eaves,  grappled  with  the  wmdows,  em- 
braced the  girders,  and  with  a  parting  roar,   sped  on  to  other  quarters.     Tins  w-as 
before  one  o'clock  Monday  morning,  and  as  the  flames  leaped  toward  th«  miserable, 
grovelling  district,  popularly  known  as  ■'  Connollys  Patch  ;"  that  portion  of  the  flra 


1 


8 


HISTORY    OF    THE 


between  Cliutou  and  Canal  streets,  in  the  Wast  Division,  was  miking  rapid  liaad-vay, 
quickly  eiigiilpliing  the  lumbar  yards,  tenement  houses,  and  buildings  on  Van  Burea 
street,  whilst  the  extreme  western  branch  had  reached  West  Harrison  Htreet,  border- 
ing the  scene  of  the  previous  night'n  calamity. 

Suddenly  anothsr  cry  of  alarm  was  hoard,  and  each  heart  sank  as  a  bright  light 
appeared  in  the  vicinity  of  Adams'  street,  and  engin3s,  (iremeu  and  voluntears  dashed 
toward  the  scene,  "  Connolly's  patch  ''  was  now  blazing  with  intense  fury,  dozens  of 
unfortunates  ran  out  in  almost  a  nude  condition  ;  struggling  females,  crying  children, 
groaning  nun,  rushed  in  dozens  from  the  flre-feediag  shanties;  but  njt  all — many 
•were  unable  to  escape, being  perfectly  hemmed  In.  A  poor  man  who  got  out  with  his 
hair  almost  singed  to  the  skull,  raised  his  hands  above  his  head  and  cried  piteously 
for  his  child.  '■  Slie's  in  the  back  room — my  God,  my  Qod — 3ave  poor  Anne,  my 
poor  child  !"  but  it  was  an  entire  impossibility,  and  as  the  roof  fell  in,  and  millioiist  of 
sparks  sprung  fiom  -he  grave  of  the  child,  the  unfortunate  man  fell  prostrate  on  the 
ground.  Tiie  madden»d  sea  of  flams  broke  like  waves  over  the  devoted  settlement ; 
it  darted  in  fiery  arrows,  or  rolled  like  a  blazing  cylinder,  then  suddenly  burst  into 
shafts  wh'.c'ii  cut  with  the  seething  precision  of  a  reaper  at  his  work  ;  a  perfect  para- 
pet Olf  Are  blocked  many  in  their  dwellings  ;  one  man  rushed  forward  and  was  silently 
Orawn  down  to  his  long  home  ;  ethers  madly  screamed  for  lielj) — but  the  barrier  was 
impassable  and  fully  eight  or  ten  perished  in  the  space  of  as  many  seconds — some  with 
curses,  come  with  prayers  upon  their  lips.  In  the  neighborhood  of  LaSalle  street, 
Monroe,  Clark  and  Diarborn  streets,  very  little  anxiety  was  felt  concerning  buildings  iu 
these  neighborhoods.  Pew  dreamed  that  the  exquisite  creations  of  genius,  the  hand- 
some, massive  mirb'e  structures  which  had  comprised  the  wealth,  the  hope,  the  pride  of 
the  msrcantile  community,  would  prove  but  pasteboarii  objtaclss  in  checking  the  ad- 
vancing flames.  Whilst  this  flre  was  in  progress,  a  junction  of  the  western  branch  was 
rapidly  approaching — by  way  of  JefFarsoa  street  towards  the  VanBuren  street  bridge 
and  Mirket  street ;  but  the  intensest  interest  was  created  on  the  south  line  of  Monroe 
street  and  running  along  Wells  and  Market  street.  On  Monroe  street,  the  stables  of 
J.  V.  Farwell  &  Co.,  and  the  American  Union  Express  Company,  were  next  attackied. 
The  shivering  horses  nestled  closely  together;  they  neighed  .'ith  fear  and  stood 
tremblingly  eyeing  the  advancing  death  fiend ;  very  few  escaped ;  not  more  perhaps 
than  eight  or  ten  out  of  a  hundred  powerful  animals.  It  was  a  fearful  sight;  but 
man  was  suffering  still  greater  afflictions.  On — on  to  Wells  street— the  poor  again 
attacked  and  poverty — in  such  a  case — the  sure  courier  of  ruin  and  death — clung  to 
its  little  store  until  the  scorching  cohorts  drove  it  from  what  had  ever  been  its  strong- 
hold. Old  ra3n  and  wom3n,  stout,  stalwart  men  and  little  children,  all  alike  quailed 
before  the  m.irch  of  this  terrible  enemy.  Sick  and  maimad,  decrepit  and  crippled, 
many  fell  by  the  way  and  were  speedily  lapped  up  by  tongues  of  flame  only  too  ready 
for  prey.  And  the  fireman— aoble,  reckless,  Spartaudike  in  thoir  effjrts — no  praise, 
DO  eulogy  would  do  them  justice ;  they  worked  with  the  defiant  energy  of  men  who 
would  assert  their  manhood  and  discharge  their  duties  even  at  the  tacriflce  o{:lifa  ; 


» 


GREAT    FIUE    IN    ClIICAQO. 


s  miking  rapid  headivay, 
I  buildings  on  Van  Biiran 
t  Harrison  street,  border- 

irt  sank  as  a  bright  light 
1311  and  volunteard  dashed 
ith  intense  fury,  dozens  of 
?  females,  crying  children, 
■uties ;  but  not  all — many 
man  who  got  out  with  his 
s  head  and  cried  piteously 
loJ — aave  poor  Anne,  my 
oof  fell  in,  and  millioiis  of 
man  fell  prostrate  on  the 
T  the  devoted  settlement ; 
.  then  suddenly  burst  into 
his  work  ;  a  perfect  para- 
d  forward  and  was  silently 
lielj) — but  the  barrier  was 
many  seconds — some  with 
orhood  of  LaSalle  street, 
elt  concerning  buildings  iu 
itions  of  genius,  the  haud- 
lalth,  the  hope,  the  pride  of 
itaclos  in  checking  the  ad- 
of  the  waotern  branch  was 
le  VanBuren  street  bridge 
a  the  south  line  of  Monroe 
anroe  street,  the  stables  of 
ipany,  were  next  attackied. 
;hed  .'ith  fear  and  stood 
scaped ;  not  more  perhaps 
It  was  a  fearful  sight;  but 
ills  street— the  poor  agaia 
ruia  and  death — clung  to 
t  had  erer  been  its  strong- 
children,  all  alike  quailed 
id,  decrepit  and  crippled, 
es  of  flame  only  too  ready 
1  their  effjrts — no  praise, 
efiant  energy  of  men  who 
en  at  the  tacrifice  of :  life  ; 


darting  throuah  windows  whilst  dense  smoke  and  lava-like  rivers  of  lire  streamed  from 
the  roofs ;  scaling  the  summits  of  blazing  edifices— God  know*,  had  it  been  pr>isil)l« 
to  subdue  the  wild  onset  of  the  flames,  these  men  would  hive  aohieviid  a  victory. 
But  Providence  had  otherwise  ordained — the  extraordinary  powers  and  perseverance 
of  these  noble  fellows  was  an  imperishable  monument  in  the  record  of  manhood's 
heroism.  And  now  the  Southern  Division  was  alive  to  the  threatened  danger.  The 
managers  of  the  Sherman,  Tremont,  Briggs  and  other  hotels,  hastily  warned  their 
guests— and  in  these  immense  buildings  scenes  took  place  beggaring  description. 
Guests  rushed  from  their  rooms  forgetting  money,  papers,  clothes  and  other  property  ; 
Bickly  women  were  conveyed  to  the  first  flat;  porters  stumbled  over  trunks  and 
trunks  fell  upon  guests ;  some  fell  down  the  stairways,  others  attempted  to  pack 
their  possessions;  but  such  a  state  of  trepidation  were  they  in  that  many  abandoned 
the  attempt  and  dashed  into  the  streets. 

The  flames  steadily  advanced  towards  the  north  branch  of  the  river— crossing 
Maddison  and  rolling  their  ravaging  columns  down  La  Salle  street— rapidly  approach- 
ing the  Pacific  Hotel,  and  there  another  voice  made  known  the  fact  that  the  fire  had 
sprung  across  the  river  at  Van  Buren  street— and  was  working  southward.    That 
Division  was  doomed,  and  strong  men  wept  upon  the  shoulders  of  their  friends  as  they 
were  warned  to  seek  safety  in  flight.     Many  dashed  towards  the  North  Division- 
having  little  confidence  in  the  west ;  some  went  south — others  stood  to  see  the  reward 
of  a  life's  labor  swept  away  in  the  space  of  a  few  minutes.    This  new  branch  which 
had  thus  partially  deserted  the  West  Division  became  a  powerful  adjunct  to  that 
whieh  was  working  north  and  east,  and  what  the  first  fire  which  visited  "  Connolly's 
Patch"  had  loft,  the  new  arrival  swept  before  it — working  toward  La  Salle  street ; 
and  here  the  united  demons— impelled  by  a  furious  wind,  strengthened  by  the  unison 
of  force,  sped  on  in  their  mad  career,  flames  forming  a  perfect  canopy  of  lurid  sheets 
which  passed  like  an  archway  over  the  streets,  roaring,  crackling  and  gurgling  with 
almost  human  signiflcance ;  they  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  the  work  of  de- 
struction.   Suddenly  t*iere  was  a  frightful  explosion  ;  in  some  parts  of  the  city  a  per- 
fect shock  as  of  an  earthquake  was  experienced — the  Gas  retorts  had  exploded,  and 
quickly  following  this  the  Qovernm»nt  Store  House  and  some  barrels  of  gunpowder 
in  a  gunsmith's  shop  ign-ted  —  creating  a  perfect  panic  —  whiUt  many  fiends  m  human 
shape,  in  order  to  carry  on  their  thieving  and  plundering  operations,  announced  that 
certain  bnildings  were  about  to  be  blown  up  with  gunpowder,  thus  creating  a  wild 
confusion,  causing  many  to  be  trampled  under  foot  and  seriously  injured.    Up  to  2:80 
A.  M.,  no  fear  for  the  North  Division  was  seriously  felt,  for  the  hissing  monster  sprang 
upon  and  clung  to  his  prey  in  the  South  Division,  whilst  a  wail  went  up  as  the  Lake- 
side Publishing  House  and  the  grand  Pacific  Hotel  were  attacked.  The  Pacific  Hotel 
was  nearly  completed  —  the  site  being  a  solid  block  of  land  having  four  distinct 
fronts  on  Quincy,  Jackson,  Clark  and  La  Salle  streets.    The  general  style  of  archi- 
tecture-as  observable  on  the  exterior  was  Italian,  presenting  the  general  eflfect  of 
broad  spaces  and  bold,  sweeping  outlines.    The  principal  fronts  and  returns  were  ex- 


10 


HISTORY    OF    TIIK 


r 


quisilely  wroufclit  in  th«  olive  tinted  sandstone  of  Ohio,  from  the  Anllier^t  .luarries, 
.nd  presenting  a  continuous  cut  stone  front  of  over  750  feet,  rising  ninety-six  feet  from, 
sidewalk  to  cornice-and  six  full  stones  above  a  splendid  basement.    The  total  height 
of  the  walls  was  104  feet  from  the  pavement.    Ad.lod  to  these,  thero  was  a  magmfl- 
cent  display  of  architecture  on  the  upper  floors.    The  attack  made  by  the  Are  on  this 
edidce  was  watched  with  considerable  inlerest-the  announcement  having  been  made 
that  it  was  flre-proof.    Thousands  o.f  feet  of  lumber,  however,  were  stacked  within, 
and  this  rapidly  ignited,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  stately  building  was  wrapped  in 
flames    All  the  walls  and  partitions  above  thesohd  stone  foundation  were  bricked  to  the 
second  floor  and  the  interior  divisions  carried  with  brick  to  the  tops  of  the  building. 
The  exterior  walls  were  twenty-four  inches  thick  to  the  first  story,  thence  twenty 
inches  thick  to  the  fourth  story,  thence  sixteen  inches  the  remaining  two  stories.     A 
system  of  iron  girders  entirely  encircled  the  building,  lesling  on  brick  walls,  these 
girders  carrying  the  main  partitions  and  supporting  the  bricking  in  of  the  partitions 
on  each  floor,  thus  constructed  to  prevent  Are  running  from  one  side  of  the  buildinu 
to  Uie  other,  through  the  joists.     Qentlemen  of  great  intelligence  and  experience  had 
pronounced  the  main  portions  of  the  racific  impervious  to  the  action  of  Are;  Dut  the 
mad  flames  the  roaring  sea  of  fire  which  dashed  through  and  enveloped  this  grand 
triumph  of  architecture,  melted  the  very  stones  with  which  it  came  in  contact  and 
hurled  the  stately  piles  to  instantaneous  deslruclion-and  with  it  over  half  a  million 
dollars     The  hotel  was  not  yet  opened,  and  was  owned  by  a  large  company. 

At  this  point  the  city  appeared  like  a  boiling  cauldron;  viewed  from  any  point 
there  was  a  weird,  impressive  grandeur.  In  the  west  fire  was  still  raging-thousands 
of  tons  of  soft  and  chestnut  coal  transformed  the  scene  into  that  of  a  volcanic  erupt- 
ion •  in  the  north-east  huge  fires  and  fiames  darting  upwards,  illumined  the  Northern 
Division  while  in  the  Southern  Division  the  cries  of  escaping  refugees,  the  screams  of 
injured  'beings,  the  roar  of  the  lire  and  the  shock  of  falling  ruins,  called  to  mind 
Yiistoric  descriptions  of  the  days  of  Pompeii  and  Ilerculaneum.  At  the  magnificent  fire 
proof  building  of  the  Tribunk  Office,  many  gathered  to  witness  the  fire  from  an  emi- 
nence-one  of  the  editors  thus  graphically  describing  the  awful  grandeur  of  the 
scene:—   ■■<  '  '  ■"«■  '    "^ 

"  The  si"ht  from  the  windows  of  the  Trihvre  Building  was  one  the  like  of  which 
few  have  ever  seen.  At  fifteen  minutes  to  1  o'clock  the  view  was  like  this  :  To  the 
south-we^t  rose  a  cloud  of  black  smoke,  which,  colored  with  the  lurid  glare  of  the 
■  flames  which  caused  it,  presented  a  remarkable  picture,  Due  west  another  column  of 
fire  and  smoke  arose,  while  the  north  was  lighted  with  the  flying  cinders  and  des  ruct- 
ive  brands  In  ten  minutes  more  the  whole  horizon  to  the  west,  as  far  as  could  be 
seen  from  the  windows,  was  a  fiery  cloud,  with  flames  leaping  up  along  the  whole  line, 
ust  showing  their  heads  and  subsiding  from  view  like  tongues  of  snakes  Five  min- 
utes more  wrought  a  change.  Peal  after  peal  sounded  from  the  Court  House  bell. 
The  fire  was  ou  LaSalle  street,  had  swept  north,  and  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  began 
to  belch  forth  smoke  and  flame  from  windows  and  ventilators.    The  east  wing  of  the 


CHEAT    FIRE    IN    CHlCAaO. 


11 


"rora  llie  Atuller^t  (iuanieM, 
Bt,  lisiug  ninety-six  feet  from 
basement.     The  total  beiglit 
these,  thero  was  a  magnill- 
acli  made  by  the  (Ira  on  this 
nncement  having  been  made 
ivever,  were  stacked  within, 
y  building  was  wrapped  in 
iimdation  were  bricked  to  the 
.  to  the  tops  of  the  building. 
ic  first  story,  thence  twenty 
e  remainins?  two  stories.     A 
lesting  on  brick  walls,  these 
bricking  in  of  the  partitions 
om  one  side  of  the  building 
elligence  and  experience  had 
to  the  action  of  lire;  But  the 
;h  and  enveloped  this  grand 
,hich  it  came  in  contact  and 
id  with  it  over  half  a  million 
by  a  large  company, 
ildron  ;  viewed  from  any  point 
re  was  still  raging — thousands 
into  that  of  a  volcanic  erupt- 
ivards,  illumined  the  Northern 
iping  refugees,  the  screams  of 
'   falling  ruins,  called  to  mind 
tieum.    At  the  magnificent  fire 
I  witness  the  fire  from  an  emi- 
g  the  awful  grandeur  of  the 

Ing  was  one  the  like  of  which 
le  view  was  like  this  :  To  the 
red  with  the  lurid  glare  of  the 
Due  west  another  column  of 
;he  flying  cinders  and  destruct- 
,0  the  west,  as  far  as  could  be 
japing  up  along  the  whole  line, 
tongues  of  snakes.  Five  min- 
ed from  the  Court  House  bell, 
e  Chamber  of  Commerce  began 
lilators.    The  east  wing  of  tha 


Court  House  was  alii-ht  ;  thei>  the  west  wing,  the  tower  wai<  hhyM^u  <;n  the  Sou.h 
Side  and  at  2  o'clo.k  iho  wliole  l.uiUling  was  in  a  sheet  of  fiam.     The  Clumber  ot 
Connnerce  burned  with  a  bright  steady  11  ano.     The  s,n..ke  in  front  gn-w  -lenser  lor  a 
minute  or  two,  and  then,  bursting  into  a  bla/o  from  Monroe  to  Madis«n  streets,  p>.>- 
clai.i.ed  that  Farewell  Hall  and  the  buildings  north  and  south  .of  it  were  on  lire.     At 
lOnnnntes  past  2  o'clock  the  Court  Hou^e  tower  was  a  ylorioiis  sight.     It  sto.id  a 
clowin.'  almost  dazzliuL..  trellis-work,  around  which  was  wrapped  a  sl<.et-a  w:nd..m 
sheet-of  flame.     At  a  .piarter  past  two,  tlm  tower  fell,  and  in  two  mim.tes  u.ore  a 
crash  announced  the  fall  of  the  building.     Tl,e  windows  of  the  ollice  wore  hoi,  and  the 
names  "ave  a  light  almost  dazzling  in  Us  intensity.     U  became  evident  that  the  whole 
block  from  Clark  to  Dearborn,  and  from  Monroe  to  Madison  must  sio  ;  that  the  block 
f,om  A[adis.,n  to  Washington  must  follow;  Portland  Block  was  abla/.e,  while  every- 
thin"  from  Clark  to  D.arborn  on  Washington  street  was  on  fire.    At  2:P,0  the  fire  wa.s 
half  "way  down  Madison  street;  the  wind   blewfa  Inn.icane;  the  fire  brands  were 
hurled  alon-  the  ground  with  incredible  force  auainst  everything  that  stood  n.  the,r 
wnv      Then"the  flames  shot  up  in  the  rear  of  Reynold's  Block,  and  then  the  2V//.««. 
Buildin-  seemed  doomed.     An  otrort  was  n>ade  to  save  the  files,  and  other  valuables, 
which  were  moved  into  tho  composing  room,  but  the  building  stood  like  a  r.,ck,  hi-shed 
on  two  sides  by  raging  waves  of  flan.e,  and  it  was  abandoned.     It  was  a  fire  p.^oot 
building  and  there  were  ont  a  few  who  e.xhocted  to  .see  it  stand  the  .shock.     The 
areatesi  possible  anxiety  was  felt  for  it,  as  it  was  the  koy  to  the  whole  block,  mdud- 
L.  M-Vickor's  Theatre,  and  protecting  State  street,  and  Wabash  ajid  Midiigan  ave- 
nues north  of  Madison  street.    When  the  walls  of  Reynolds'  Block  fell,  an.l  Cobb's 
Buildinc^  was  no  more,  the  pro.spccts  of  its  standing  were  good.    Sc-v.r.al  persons  went 
„p  stairs  a..d  found  it  cool  and  ploasant.-quite  a  refreshing  haven  from  the  Inirru.ane 
of  smoke,  dust  and  cinders  that  a.^ailed  tho  eyes."  ' 

Now  tlie  fire  seemed  to  fasten  upon  the  stately  rows  of  marhlo  and  stone  on   La 
Salle  Clark,  Dearborn,  and  the  southern  end  of  State  street,  running  east,  and  sur,.- 
ina  through  lanes  and  avenues,  skipping,  leaping  from  building  to  building^  w,!h 
ravenous  i^pidity.    W.  K.  Nixon's   buildina,  Republic   Life  Insurance  Con'.p.-^ny'-s 
buildin.,Boones  Clock,  Andrews'   I'.lock,  on  the  oast  side  of  LaSalle  street,  and 
Brvan-r  Block,  Otis'  building,  Miller  &  Drew's  i,>surance  buildin.,  Oriental  huMuvr, 
Mercantile  building  of  D.  S.  Smith  &  Co.,  Union  National  Bank  building,  on  the  west 
side  of  La  Salle,  were  smoking ;  then  south  again,  towards  the  lake,  the  llond  sped 
on  unmolc^ted;  buildings  were  blown  up,  but  the  flames  cast  firebrands  for  bloc.s 
nhead  the  first  intimation  of  Arc  being  a  burst  of  smoke  from  the  caves  and  wmdows; 
i,„n  sl'uuters  were  torn  open  or  draw,>  apart,  metal  fron,  the  roofs  poured  a  flood  ot 
Hcorchin.  fluid  to  the  earth,  whilst  tin  was  pulled  np  and  cast  in  coils  frou>  its  resting 
place     Westward  on  Washington  street  a  terrifying  sea  of  fire  existed,  the  Nichol- 
son pavement-althongh  resisting  the  fire  to  a  very  great  extent-was  obliged   to 
succumb    blading  under  the  feet  of  fleeing  nndtitnd.s,  many  of  whom  cursed   the.r 
lives  and  indulged  in  the  utmost  profanity.    Massive  stone  melted  under  the  mad  em- 
braces of  the  heat ;  it  chipped  ofl  in  blocks,  cracked  into  fragments  and  shrunk  fronx 


r- 


1: 


IIISTOIIV    OF    TIIK 


t 


til"  ri'lrnn-yiiu  fl^ivl ;  ;nin  nivl  the  fruits  of  liN  iiKluslrious  in^onui'y  'vppp  .ilikc  lietp- 
1"<M.  Wliilit  ili.>  w«Ht'»:Ti  si'le  nf  tlm  S  mtli  D:vi,<ioii  wi-*  biiminT  1iu,m  pieces  of  flrsl 
tirali'';- \v"-f  (ust  finvrl  toviils  Rmlalph  straH,  anl  oran  bifjre  many  ot  Uie 
l>'iilrliir,'s  1)11  LiSilIc,  D-'ai".  irn  aivl  o'Iit  stmsts  wrR  on  fl:'e,  the  O.iurt  House  and 
8<>vpral  sliMU'turps  wr-rc  ooinninnein^  to  blaze,  iiius  dividing  the  iirnranii  and  nrovpntin? 
anything  like  a  p^rfeot  concpntraMon  of  the  scoie  of  steam  engiiins  at  work. 

Opposite  the  tirniicl  the  trrsit  Cuvt  House  loJim^d  in  torrlble  srandnur.  Rjinovel 
to  a  grpfil  degrra  from  tb-  surraun  liiQ;  ilrfl,  thoss  in  antiiority  hesitated  to  allow  the 
]);-iso'i3rs  uo-r^i-,  ins  I  it.t;<r  yellel  in  fury,  priyed.  l)p',f«p(;!ie  1  for  clpmsncy,  charity, 
anything  that  could  soften  the  hearts  of  th<;ir  guard -i,  and  at  last,  when  siuf)ke  issued 
from  the  roof,  tlir^y  wpre  discharged,  two  persons  guilty  of  murder  being  placed 
in  custody  and  li»ld  by  tlie  police.  Tlien  the  groat  b  -11  of  this  splendid  edifice  seemed 
to  speak  ;  it  sent,  lortli  ilie  wildest  alarm  which  had  yet  been  heard;  even  as  the  Are 
smothered  the  cup„'.'.,  "real  harsh,  mournful  sounds  were  nearu  from  it — 
"  Ci.AN(j"— "  Clano"— "  Olano." 

T!iis  mirlced  the  pro-Jnct  and  th?  daT.;er,— and  psiple  shuddered  as  volumes 
of  smoke  passed  through  the  windows  of  this  stately  edince,  and  great  Rhaftg  of  flame 
and  myriads  of  trembling  cinders  were  caught  by  the  wind  and  liurlea  as  messengers 
of  ruin  towards  adjacent  structures.  Many  people  sought  refuge  in  the  LaSalle 
Street  Tunnel,  carrying  books,  trunks  and  papers  with  them.  But  dense  columns  of 
,  .«moke  passing  north  and  south  warned  the  fleeing  niassas  ;  immense  blocks  of  stone, 
falling  with  the  quickness  of  lightning  from  the  buildings,  cut  huge  masses  from 
the  stoning  of  the  tunnel,  and  tore  away  parts  of  the  iron  railing  as  though  it  were 
thread;  to  add  to  the  misery  of  the  nnfortur.ates,  thieve.s  prowiea jaround,  stealing 
property,  friglitening  women,  and  indulging  in  the  lowe.it  description  ot  Diauic- 
guardism.  In  fact,  some  quietly  entered  back  premises  and  fitted  suits  of  clothes, 
liats,  boots  and  vests— displaying  a  refined  nicety  in  selecting  their  costumes  not  often 
observable.    The  fiends  should  have  been  handcuffed  one  after  another. 

It  WIS  Just  previous  to  this  that  th-  Gas  Works  exploded,  and  when  the  fire 
crossed  Monroe  street,  several  voice  cried: 

"  The  fire  has  reached  the  Qw  House— run,  run  for  your  liyes! "  • 

A  frightfully  confused  seens  followii ;  curses  and  profanity,  shrieks  of  fear  nd 
p.aia,  were  ca^t  from  white  lips  and  pass'^d  upon  ths  wings  of  the  hurricane. 

Ilsre  stoo  1  a  mother  with  her  tender  child  pressad  closelv  to  her  bosom,  the  little 
darllng'pouting  its  innocent  lips  and  pressing  its  face  to  the  only  'aoart|il,  knew. 
"  Take  the  child  away'l "  almi-it  yelled  the  father,  who  w.as  acting  as  though  perfectly 
insann— 'MIv  U>d  do  you  w.ant  to  ba  destroyed  !  Run,  run  for  your  life  !  "  And 
he  siezei  th''  cinging,  startled  woinan  by  the  arm,  forcing  her  towards  Clark  street. 

On  State  Street,  Field,  Leiter  &  Co..  had  engines  employed  flooding  the  palatial 
building  which  they  occupied,  and  many  firmly  believed  that  the  structure  would  be 
saved ;  meanwhile  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  in  goods  were  remored,  and  a 


US  ingonuHy  wore  .ilikp  lielp- 
biirninj;  hu:^^  pieces  of  Aral 
III  oron  bifjre  many  ot  Uie 
n  fli'p,  the  O.iuvt  House  and 
nu  liifi  iirornnii  and  nrovpntin? 
earn  Piigiiips  at  work, 
torrib'e  iraudfttir.  R^imvel 
thority  liMitatod  to  allow  the 
^"cliel  for  clPiTiincy,  charity, 
id  at  last,  when  smr)ke  issued 
ilty  of  murder  brajng  placed 
of  this  splendid  edifice  seemed 
been  heard ;  even  as  the  Are 
ere  nearu  from   it — 

paiple  shuddarod  as  volumes 
ince,  and  great  Miaftg  of  flame 
vind  and  liurlea  as  messengers 
ioujht  refuge  in  the  LaSalle 

them.  But  dense  columns  of 
!3s  ;  immense  blocks  of  stone, 
ings,  cut  huge  masses  from 
iron  railing  as  though  it  were 
eves  prowiea  jaround,  stealing 

lowest  description  ot  DiacK- 
ies  and  fitted  suits  of  clothes, 
acting  their  costumes  not  often 
ne  after  another, 

exploded,  and  when  the  fire 

•  your  lives!"  ■• 

profanity,  shrieks  of  f«ar  nd 
igs  of  the  hurricane, 
closelv  to  her  bosom,  the  little 
38  to  the  only  lioartjit  knew. 
fvas  acting  as  though  perfectly 
Lun,  run  for  your  life !  "  And 
ing  her  towards  Clark  street, 
sraployed  flooding  the  palatial 
I  that  the  structure  would  be 
^  goods  were  removed,  and  a 


GRKAT    FIUK    1\    CIIICAfJO. 


18 


ttysteniilic  nrrangement  of  forces  instituted.  Then  on  the  corner  of  State  and 
Kandolph  streets  volunteers  and  others  mounted  thn  roof  of  Ross  &  Gossage's 
building,  riikins;  their  very  livHS  in  attempts  to  cliop  away  tlip  cornicps,  whicli  tlipy 
Huoceeded  in  doing,  Uih  nmltituds  below  cheering  enthusiastically.  But  the  labor 
availed  little,  for  speedily  the  immense  block  was  wrapped  in  fiery  garb,  and  crumbled 
into  ashes  before  the  enemy's  attack.  It  was  heartrending  to  hear  women  calling  lor 
their  children  ;  they  would  seize  a  bystander  by  the  arm,  and  between  hysterical 
sobbings  and  shiverings  anxiously  implore  aid  in  seeking  the  missing  loved  ones  ; 
80  startled  were  the  horses  that  at  times  they  would  break  loose  from  their  fetters 
and  dash  madly  into  the  ruins  of  the  fire — whilst  tame  pigeons — crossing  the  line  of 
fire — wore  suddenly  paralized  by  the  heat  and  added  their  little  carcases  to  appease 
the  wrath  of  this  devastating  monster.  Back  towards  the  central  portion  of  Wabash 
avenue  frightful  scenes  had  oocurred — scenes  too  solemn,  too  striking  to  |)ermit  of 
any  perfect  daseription.  In  many  places  naught  could  be  seen  save  jagged  remains  of 
buildings,  and  angles  ])ointed  their  scarred  edges  to  the  sky ;  very  few  buildings 
stood  ;  the  Post  Oflise  almost  dared  the  sea  ttf  lire  to  engnlph  it;  with  a  roar  as  of 
the  waves  of  ocean  hurling  their  mighty  power  against  a  rock-bound  coast — the 
'flames  darted  fpr  their  prey ;  they  rolled  beneath  the  cornice^,  hissed  and  gurgled  as 
they  found  light  prey  amid  the  boxes  and  drawers  and  i)apers;  the  revelry  of 
paademoaium  seemed  to  be  rivalled  in  this  earthly  region,  where  the  flre  king  held 
sway  and  passed  the  fl.it  of  dastruction  upon  this  doomed  city. 

Uj)  to  Wabash  avenue  the  crowd  was  immense — thousands  of  poor  houseless 
wretches,  driven  from  their  homes,  had  sought  refuge  in  this  district ;  but  shortly  af- 
ter 4  o'clock  the  cry  cama — '■  Fire  spreading  up  the  avenue  !"  and  immediately  there 
ensued  a  state  of  excitement  beyond  parallel.  The  flre  was  behind  them — the  vast 
prairie  of  palatial  residences  was  as  straw  in  ^liccking  the  flames;  dense  clouds  of 
smoke  rolled  above,  whilst  cinders,  burning  and  igniting  everything  with  which  they 
«ame  in  contact,  found  resting  places  in  many  a  happy  home  which  was  soon  U^  be 
desolated. 

"  Oh,  sir,  I  have  lost  mv  mother."  ' 

She  was  a  child  of  nearly  thirteen,  who  spoke,  whilst  her  sobs  told  what  suffer- 
ings the  little  one  was  enduring ;  dressed  in  fashionable  apparel,  with  a  light, "  t  loud  " 
npon  her  head— it  seemed  a  crime  that  rough  fellows  should  push,  jostle  and  frighten 
her ;  "  her  mother  !"  perhaps  the  tie  had  been  severed  in  this  world,  and  we  placed 
the  poor  little  soul  under  charge  of  a  friendly  policeman,  who,  no  doubt,  did  his  ut- 
most to  restore  her  to  her  relatives.  Now  came  a  struggle  for  the  pavement;  thous- 
ands rushing  south  mat  thousands  pressing  northward ;  women  were  crushed  and 
fainted  in  the  collision ;  blasphemy,  imprecations,  drunken  jokes  and  other  orgies  in- 
dicative o '  degradation,  were  indulged  in.  The  rich  jewels  of  a  pampered  beauty,  or 
reigning  belle,  did  not  preserve  her  from  contact  with  those  of  meaner  origin  or  mean- 
er position ;  both  had  hearts,  feelings — both  suflfered  and  both  were  subdued.  One 
lady  ran  about  with  several  chains  passed  over  her  neck,  her  fingers  covered  witk 


/     ' 


HISTORY    OF    THE 
,       u  ul.llsi  n.K.lher  nmnifeBte.!  that  the  ruling  pnsHion  was  strong  even  In  death- 
':r^^^^^^  -"«..  a  '■  Barato,a-  U.n.n.U  the  ..et.,  the  fl.rne. capture.! 
T       ,     ulLl  with  itH  renuniscencoH  of  fascinating  flirtations  nn.l  waler.ng-place 
U.e  valuable  t-'^-t    '  ^^^^^  ^^^^^  ^^_^^.^^^^^_^^^^  ,^^,^,  ^.^^  ^^^^^, .,,  „, 

i„..„,„es,  and  the    -     •"-  ,,,noso,.hical  n.ood  ;  she  rcn,arl.ed  to  him  :- 

^:::;:"::: :;:  "o  ;;;:o,.ci.a\o.ni«M;. .. ...  ..t ,,.  wo.d-c..sh.s 

o  had  been  n,no.ni.ic.ently  fitted  n,.,  over  ^70,000  havin,  been  spent  npon 
r;  e  1  i  X  con,ploted  and  approved  on  Saturday  ni.hf.  it  wa«  to  have 
Lt:  o^-'lhy    TheLre  Ti.o.as   with   his  Orchestra  ou  that  Monday  even.ng 

^"'Mtlelv:::' ^n,  fifteen  or  thirty  .inn.s  an  explosion  could  he  heard  ;  ho„.s 

\         1     Only  two  en.Mnes  were  in  this  section,  and  these  were  powerless 

..ere  h  own  t  p.  ^  ^^J^;  „,,  ,^,,,  .^yond  Adan.s,  Jac.son  and  Van 

•  ...thout  wate,      ^^'''ll''^     I  a  determined  etlort  was  made  at  Ha^-ison 

n:rtr;"        rC^hl^c.  between  caress,  Harrison,  Btate  and 

X    a  1     a^  certain  prey  for  the  .lames,  e.lbrt  was  concentrated  on  the  l,ne  of 
Wabash  a^en  ^^^^  ^^^^^^  ^^  ^^^^^  ^^^^  ^  ^^.^^^^^^  b„,,a. 

.,,  ..h„..h     .ts   0    d  n.er  ^^^^^  ^^.^^  ^^_^^^^  ^^^^^  ^,_^  ^^^^^^  ^^^^^_  ^„,  ,„  , 

•'":"'T::    '  he      Iw  U    remain!    The  eflectofthis  was  seen  in  a  nroment,  and 
niriv  checked,  at  least  as  far  as  the  hi.h-reaching  flames  were  con- 
Z:  ^^^rC   !^  1^-.  ,.st  mentioned,  and  the  church  which  occupied 
cerned.     »«'  ^-"  ,.  .^^,,^  ^,„,,,„  ^ns  was  a  dangerous  heap,  and 

"^TZ  :  I         tm  "  hich  reduced  the  .ext  hou.e;  but  not  until  af^er  H  had  so 
:::::::;:;;:  names  as  to  senously  endanger  the  Wabash  avenue  Method.t 

^''""■?'        , .  n>an's  in.enuily  b.llled  the  devastating  fire  flend  ;  by  the  skillful  re- 

Ufl  I  s  t  ch  was  saved  and  here  the  n.st  check  proved  successful , 

,,K.val  .of  biuKlmgs  tne  i,u-:ldings  being  saved. 

■  ,     r       lh?S..,lU  Dlvl.i«  «.™.1>..1  ft.™  "tave  ir.„*.»  .met  .o,.i™.l 


nHEAT    KIRK    1\    CItFCAliO. 


15 


ng  even  in  death — 
the  flumes  captured 
niid  wateriiig-place 
idy  was  towt  id  the 
remarked  to  hira  : — 
her  woid— Croshy's 
in;;  been  spent  upon 
ght ;  it  wan  to  have 
at  Monday  evening 

lid  be  heard  ;  homes 
lese  were  powevlefsa 
i\s,  Jackson  and  Van 
'as  made  at  lla'-'-'son 
,  Harrison,  State  and 
:itraled  on  the  line  of 
was  a  wooden  build- 
efore  blown  up.    Ad- 
lie  same  fate,  and  in  a 
ieon  in  a  moment,  and 
•hinf;  flames  were  con- 
uni'h  which  occupied 
I  dangerous  heap,  and 
not  until  after  it  had  so 
t)ash  avenue  Methodist 

id  ;  by  the  skillful  re- 
>ck  proved  successful ; 
bu'idings  being  paved. 
?t  and  No.  330  'WabaBh 
>en  the  fire  which  even 

clock  the  position  was 
rrison  street  northward 
lad  been  reached  by  the 
y  before  it.  All  hoped 
l-_whith  Vad  been  de- 
iiiet,  in  the  east  the  Are 

ccomplished. 

:sh  ;  it  lifts  huge  boards 

stB  and  eddies  and  scal- 


Cers  tons  of  dust  over  all  pedestriaiiH,  bliiidH  the  workmen,  biiads  thosf  wjio  are  re- 
treating, blinds  tiiH  unforlmmte  homoh'ss  child  and  tho  heart  broken  iiiollior — and 
Qod  know8,  the  world  would  bo  a  more  uliaritable,  more  kindly  disposed  could  all  in 
it  have  witnessed  the  miseries  of  Monday,  the  Otli  day  of  October  1871. 

'■  The  Ure  has  started  tti^iiin  in  the  SDUlhern  Diviiiion."  This  was  the  announce- 
nienl  which  nearly  maddened  tlw  distracted  poimlaoe — for  now  the  norlli  was  rapidly 
being  destroyed — deaths  were  occurring  every  hour;  iionest  men  were  being  pillaged 
by  thieving  e.\i)ress  men,  hack  drivers  and  rascally  carriers — ;  people  were  tiretl, 
hungry,  sleepy — and  yet  nothing  could  he  procured  to  meot  the  demands  of  nature. 

'■  Uon't  cry  motlim-,  don't  cry,"  were  words  heard  thousands  of  tims.s  that  night 
passing  from  the  lips  of  a  child  who  felt  the  oouvulsive  spasms  pressed  into  her  own 
liands  and  knew  well  the  awful  anguish  which  alllicted  the  one  who  nourished,  loved 
and  would  protect  her,  even  by  sacrilking  hor  life.  But  sconos  such  as  tlieae  had 
occurred  too  often  to  excite  emotion  now. 

The  wind  increased ;  livid  coals  were  eaught  up  and  hurled  upon  the  wooden 
structures  across  the  street,  and  in  a  moment  the  tiro  had  gained  a  foothold,  and 
swept  on  once  more  to  the  northward  and  eastward.  All  that  had  been  left  untouch- 
ed between  Jackson  and  Madison  streets,  and  between  Dearbon  street  and  the  lake 
shore,  wis  now  doomed,  and  as  the  fury  of  the  flrst  hurricane  of  wind  subsided,  there 
came  almost  a  lull,  so  that  the  lire  began  to  work  southward  and  westward. 

Solemn  and  serious  a  task  as  it  is  to  chronicle  the  misfortunes  of  a  wealthy  city  by 
Are,  itisadoubly  melancholy  duly  to  speak  of  Dbatii,  and  to  record  His  work  of  silent 
destruction.  People  dashed  from  wagons  and  killed,  horses  burned  to  cinders,  women 
rushing  for  succor,  with  their  clothes  in  flames.  Men  in  dangorous  positions  leaping 
forty  and  even  sixty  feet,  to  be  dashed  to  pieces  on  the  pavement  below.  The  Tri- 
llin* reporter  witnessed  an  intensely  exciting  leap  from  Speed's  Clock,  on  Dearborn 
street,  by  which  a  man  met  sudden  death  under  tlie  following  circumstances  :  While 
Madison  street  south  of  boarborn,  and  the  west  side  of  Dearborn  were  all  abla/.e,  the 
spectators  saw  the  lurid  light  appear  in  the  rear  windows  of  Speed's  Block.  Pre- 
sently a  man,  who  had  apparently  taken  tima  to  dress  himself  leisurely,  appeared  on 
the  extension  built  up  to  the  .second  story  of  two  of  the  stores.  He  cooly  looked 
down  the  thiry  feet  between  him  an  I  Iho  groun  1,  while  the  excited  crowd  Ur.st  cried 
jump,  and  then  some  of  them  more  considerately  looked  for  a  ladder.  A  long  plank 
was  presently  found  and  answered  the  same  as  a  ladder,  and  was  placed  at  once 
against  the  building,  down  which  the  man  soon  after  slid.  But  while  these  prepara- 
tions were  going  on,  there  suddenly  appeared  another  man  at  a  fourth  story  window 
of  the  building  below,  which  had  no  projection,  but  was  (lush  fr  jm  the  top  to  the 
ground — four  stories  and  a  basement.  His  escape  by  the  stairway  was  evidently  cut 
off,  and  he  looked  desirairingly  down  the  fifty  feet  between  him  and  the  ground.  The 
crowd  gathered  frantically  at  the  sight,  for  it  was  only  a  choice  of  death  before  him — 
by  fire  or  being  crushed  to  death  by  the  fall.     Senseless  cries  of  jump  !   jump!   went 


— — i^mr  r  »a<lw»^r'<BM-*a;  ti 


10 


lllSTtillY    111"    TIIK 


,,„„  ,„.  ao«d-H.n.e!.•^»lml  lull  ..r  m  .npa.hy,  t..r  .h.  .vy  wnn  .l.M.lu.ely  u«onl- 
.ins      T1..M.  f..r  a  ..ii..«le  ..r  l«.,  he  .li.api.eMnl,  ,.e>l,o,,s  .v.m>  l^^s,  UU  it.  .eeu.e.l  *.> 
,;.„„  a  nn,«  tluU  .l,e  M.pp.^Mtion  «a.  tlmlhe  ,,acl  .all..,,  .u.I.-chU.I  «iil,  ,l,e  ,  .noVe  and 
,...l      l!ul  m.,  Ue  arvea.H  H^niu.     Flr.l  l>e  Ihn.WH  out  a  be.l.  ll-.n  ^c-e  l.e.l-.lo.he.. 
„,,,.au..,tly  •.  .)  y,  ,...l.a..:T  ev.n  l.edo.s  „.„,  kn...     A.ain  lu- 1.  oUs  .lovu  ,l,e  ,lea  . 
L.  wall  .!•  niiy  ..H  bel.w  hi....     Then  he  ...ount.  ...  .1..-  >v;n.l.,w.Mli.      Hi.   ^v b-.l. 

„„„.  „,,,,.,„H,  .,uk.nl  ...  the  Khirl,  ami  bin  wbi.e  hmbn  gUan.  n«ai„sl  tho  -la^k  ^all  .» 
„  ..  b.i.hl  Hub.  a«  1...  s>M.,u.  hanself  b«U,-  lb.  «i.,clow.      8.,n,«h.,vs_b.,w  ......e  .an 

tell-be  .lr..r»  ami  ca.c  h..,s  ,„,....  .he  l..,.s  .,f  lb.  wi,.d.,w«  bel..>v  him.     Ho  m...,.  and 

a,„,.sr.„ain.an.Uei>,...be.n....-vi,b  bis  l,.,mN.  and  bin  .leam.ng  b.,.ly  ..n-'e  n...re 

.uuigh...ns  and  ban«s  ,,.o,.e  do.n.a.-l,  and  th....  .IropH  in.lantly  and  accuralely  u,...n 

a,e  windo^v.^ill  ol  .h.  .hi.d  K....y.     A  ^boul,  ,....e  .,f  jcy  .ban  applauM.,  ,.,.s  n,  .r.,m 

,„ebr.a.hl.s.c..,wd,and  vh..e  .ho  bad  .u.nod  a.ay  .heir  heads,  noV  b..«..n«lo 
,.,ol-  u,.,n  bin.  as  b.  se. n,. d  uh.,nl  to  .1...,.  U,  snd.len  and   .e.tain  death,  ulan.ed  up 
.ahimu..emo,e.i-ba   .ay  o.  h.„,e  at  this  da„n.  and  sKiU.«  .ea..     In.otbis^.u- 
,lowb.-m,,ttolo,.k,  i,.ol,ably,.or  a  Mai.>s.,y,  but  H^ea-ed  a^ain  pesenlly,  lor 
,e,e  only  .as  the  only  avenu.,  o.  escare,  .les,,e,alo   and  b.^eles^  an  il  >^■aH       0«ce 
u.ore  be  dropped  his  body,  ha.,.in,  by  bis  hands.    Ibe  cowd  sc.eawd  and  .aved 
to  hi.u  to  swin«  biu.sell  over  the  projection  fr.u.  vvbicb  lt.e  o.her  n.an  bad  jns    beeu 
,escued     H«  tried  I.,  .lo  this,  and  vibrated  lik«  a  pemlulun.  )■.,...  side  to  sm  e,  but 
..ould  uot  reach  far  onouoh  -to  throw  Imnself  upon  its   u.of.      The,,  he  hung  by  o„e 
hand  an.l  looked  down  ;  visin,-  the  other  hand,  be  look  a  fresh  hold  and  Bwung  from 
Hide  to  M.le  once  n,..re  to  reach  .be  roof.    In  vain  ;  a.aiu  be  bang  n...t,onless  by  one 
Land,  and  slowly  turned  bis  bead  over  his  sbouhU-r  and   .a.ed  into  the  abysa  below 
,,,„      Then,   .atberinu  bim.elf  up,  be  let  ,o  bis  bol.l,  an.l  lor  a  second  a  uleam  of 
wbiiesbotclownUdn...ty)eet.o.hebaHn..nt.     Ofcou.se  i.  killed  him.      He  ^a» 
taken  to  a  d.  ug  store  near  by,  and  died  in  ten  minutes. 

When  tbe  Ross  building  near  Slate  and  Vasbingt.n,  streets  fell,  a  man  with  a 
vvaiion- occupied  by  himself  and  four  others-reached  the  base  of  the  edifice  just 
as  the  walls  fell;  th.^y  live  vve.c  crushed  to  atoms  and  .emained  beneath  the  tomb 
which  covered  them.    One  of  them  saw  the  ruins  topple  and  uttered  an  exclan.at.on- 
,,„t  was  unable  to  escape.     One  of  the  IVilme  reporters,  wandering  on  the  ^or,h 
Side    discovered,  in  .be  rear  cellar  of   the  dwelling   next  east  of   the  T.stor.cal 
Society-B  building,  the  cbarred  trunk  of  a  buman  body,  lying  amid  ruins  ol  many 
.ine  bottles  ar.d  .be  apparatus  of  a  water-closet.     There  was  mucb  roas.ed  flesh 
Mill  clinging  to  the  spine,  but  no  clue  to  tbe  identity,  or  even  the  sex  of  U.e  vrct.m, 
was  obtainable.    The  hou.e  had  been  occupied  by  a  Gern.an-lhe  keeper  of  the 
Ilistorhal  Building-but  the  body  may  bave  been  that  of  some  person  who  had 
stravedinu.   (apparently)  tbe  upper  chambers  ..f  his  bouse,  probably  in  pursu.t  of 
•     plunder.    Two  men  were  also  fou..d  in  the  neighborhood  of  a  livery  stable  near  the 
raciflc  Hotel,  burned  and  charred  so  ah  to  render  recognition  an  imposs.b.hty  ;  only 


GREAT    FIRE    IN    CIIICAao, 


.liMiliiicly  iiuoni- 
li\it  it  Keeliietl  «o 
ill  ilip  1  iiiiiUf  ami 
•eiyo  lie(l-(lollie», 
«  <lc'Wii  llip  (lead, 
Hill.  IliM  whole 
ilio  (l«ik  vtall  in 
, — ii(,\v  iKiiie  fan 

1,       lie  McdlJH  Bllli 

5  liody  <'inp  mine 
il  BCtuintely  upon 
iu»*,  y<i«'H  I'l'  'fon* 
Is,  not,  Iji'Hiina  to 
Ipatli,  Kluiiieil  up 
ul.     liitolhiH  iviu- 
aiii  i.ieK'iitly,  lor 
us  il  WBM.      Ouce 
enined  ami  waved 
iiBii  liad  just  1)eeii 
1  side  to  si<le,  but 
leii  lie  liiiUB  by  one 
Id  and  swung  from 
I  motionless  by  one 
ilo  the  abyss  below 
second  a   gleam  of 
lied  him.      He  wa» 

s  fell,  a  man  with  a 
3  of  the  edifice  just 
d  beneath  the  tomb 
ed  an  exclamation — 
leiing  on  the  North 
it  of   the  IMstorical 
amid  rnins  of  many 
much  roasted  flesh 
le  sex  of  tJie  victim, 
—the  keeper  of  the 
me  person  who  had 
irobably  in  pursuit  of 
livery  stable  near  the 
n  impossibility ;  only 


a  part  of  tlioir  legs  and  trowKers  lenmined  to  establUh  the  liict  that  they  wero  huniPtt 
heingH.  Mr.  Muichoad  perifhtd  in  the  huildinu  tif  lit  \hinn,  Hunter  &  lu,  whilst, 
etideiivoriiiK  to  snvp  hdiks;  he  li-ll  li;uk  >nu)tliei(  il.  Ui.e  Wull  was  iiasnd  lo  deatli 
at  95  West  Ilniii^son  slieetj  wliii^i  a  diui.kcn  tiiun,  ciKUuvorliB  to  cii.ss  ihti  htibe 
ball  s'ound,  wa.-.  also  dtstioyed.  gix  Lin.  wtic  \\(,ikii:i:  t,n  il.e  v.,ii.ii  vl  Cluik  iii.n 
Mait;soii  streets,  top  o!  J.  1),  thnmbus  stoic,  ai,d  wl.m  the  l;ie  lai-yht  the  lower 
part  of  the  building  weie  uiiuble  to  get  .lovsn,  ai.d  Kniully  i.i.i.hie  lo  isiape  to 
ailjoiiiliig  buildiii|-s.  Tl.cy  loll  U.k  ii;^h  the  r».«.l  and  weie  totally  consumed,  alter 
utteriig  heart  ici.diig  shiiil.;  I  A  viUiantii  State  strut  was  i.i.ubie  totsiujie  liom 
her  room  I  she  acted  .liaiititally,  slapping  ut  tlie  nnn.ts,  scui.m  n^  at  U  ciowd, 
iluncing,  siiigin;;  and  hcidim  her  l.iLd  with  both  hui.iU  ,  tl.tn  witli  a  hi  i.ntii,^, 
despairing  shriek  she  succumbed  to  the  flie  ai.d  .-mike.  Ikr  son  did  ui!  in  his  power 
lo  save  her,  but  the  solid,  iccthii.y  (he  datu'd  towaids  I.;m,.ai.d  rooted  with  disltacl- 
iiig  (lertfiiess;  the  fire  held  i.i.tu  mn-tlrd  nii.sttiy  oxer  tie  pK.ple;  their  liuie  <  lloiu 
were— so  to  speak— mocked  and  jteied  at  as  he  Imped  Horn  bu.Idii^u  to  building 
twisted  his  rmistarips  ll:!ou',h(ail  a  bicik,  and  hiiiii  J  lor  nilKs  aioiiiid  huye  mi..sse8 
of  filed  timber;  the  wiiad  il.i:it;e<l  li((;uiiitiy,  but  the  missu.n  ol  de.H.latioii  hud  to 
be  accimplished,  ai.J  man  had  lo  succumb  to  llie  sway  of  this  maddennd  eU  meni. 
Shiny  of  the  dead  wero  gathered  togothor  and  conveyed  to  the  Wesi  iJidu;  some  were 
Muothered-tome  had  their  skulls  fiatlui.d,  some  hml  l.-eii  burned  to  d>'ath— but  all 
wi-re  victims  of  llic  terrible  ciihiiiiity. 

Ere  turning  attention  to  the  Xorili  Side  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  enumerate 
a  few  of  the  [ironiineiil  blocks  and  UuildiiiKs  leveled  loasiiesin  llio  Soullierii  Division. 
Of  course  there  weie  hundied,-)  of  olhor  edilices,  represeiii'ua  millions  of  dollars  which 
are  omitted:  City  National  Bank,  Illinois  Savings'  Institution,  Western  fire  aud 
Marine,  Telegidph  Odice,  Chajiiber  of  Oommeice,  Merchants'  Insurance  Block,  A^ivA 
Insurance  Block,  Fiisl  Methodist  Church,  St.  Jlaiy's  (Catholic),  iMist  I'lesln  terian, 
Second  rresbyterian,  Trinity  (Eiiiscopal),  Si.  I'aul's  (Universnlist),  SwedenbuiRiaii 
Church,  Wabash  Avenue  Meihodist  (pauially).  Birch  Block,  Palmer  Block,  Michigan 
Southern  Dejiot,  Academy  of  Design,  Chicago  Academy  of  Music,  Bryant  &  Siratton's 
Commercial  College,  Jcwhh  Sjnagogiie,  l'h,.eni.\  Club  lluu;e,  Muyo  Block,  Drtke- 
Farewell  Block,  Trihuuc  Block,  Join  ml  and  Tmik  Ollices,  Oflices  of  the  iW,  Mail 
uuASUuitH  ZciluHi/,  lieyuUican  Ollice,  Lombard  Block,  Slurgess  Block,  Faiewtll  Hall, 
Morrison  Block  Arcade  Building,  Stoiies  Block,  Armoiy,  Ilublaid  Bloik,  ChiUeudcn 
Building,  Boot  &  Cudj's,  Lyou  &  Ikalj 's,  Bmith  &  Mx.u.s,  Kimbulls,  Baucrs  & 
iMolter's  Music  store,  Metropolitan  Hall  and  Music  Hall.  The  lisi,  of  course,  includes 
only  a  very  few  ol  the  busii  ess  blocks  of  the  Koutli  Division,  but  such  as  pn  minently 
occur  to  us  in  ucull'rf;  il.eloimer  coiidllion  ol  these  once  bii.Ny  streets.  Terrance 
Block,  Michigan  Cenlial  Depot,  Adams '.louse,  lUassasoil  House,  City  Hotel,  Meliopo- 
lilan  Hotel,  Tremont  House,  St.  Jame's  HoLel,  Palmer  House,  Pa.ulic  Hotel,  Bigelow 
Hou.se,  Sherman  House,  Matteson  House,  Nevada  Hotel,  Brifea's  House,  Court  House, 


II 


mSTdllY    OK    TllK 


,U.  Work.  Cro.bv>  r,,..,a  H ,  M.-Vi..Wo,'.  Th.-.tre,  HooLy'.  Opera  "-*";■  J^";*'; 

OiiHWorKM.iro.    y       i  ,  ui,...w   Ilnm.rrt  Dlo.-W,  Poitl  OIHce  and  P.ml  Of. 

us-  au,l  Farm«rV  «»vln«.  Loan  and  TruH,  na.l«e,-.  Bank,  etc.,  ct...  cU.„  «l... 

0„n„u  th.  vav,„«  „r  Iho  flr«,  IIIIIh  atlenti.m  wan  cxciUul  by  tl.«  occurrence  of  ac^ 
.,ae,!  a  ll,;ouna«a,  .ck,  <..ri,..le.l-a,.  ...I  .•  take  care  of  tU-.-seWeB  a^d 
^:  Z.  ..narea.  of  n.n,  wo...  an.  Cildren  ..,.  U.-ir  last  .oep  an.ld  tUe 

nstips  of  this  iiwful  ei.nllauration. 

Whilst  the  ,o,aU.we.  an.  ..uU...ru  action,  were  s.no,.Uh,ri..   nj;"^^  ^^ 
,.f  .„n,..ion  was  .h.  ...rth  ..l.  .h-  U,.  .n.kin.  rapi.l  ,.ro«ro.  -«;     '^^-^'^^ 
.,nd  an.l  n.-chir,.  Ur,.h  .^..i.    Th.  .u-ul«e  here  wa«  crowded  w.th  people 
,va«  at  one...  l..r„ed  to  pr..v,M.t  the  flam-n  making  further  headway. 

r;;,:!:;;  aware  ..f  it.  po.or  the  hre  attacked  the  hrid.e.  drove  ^^^^^^^J 
„.,  wiUllv  iMlo  the  water  and  many  inf.  sufloeation.    The  warehouse,  lumiu.  yard 

:::;^:i:p,ani.mi„s ..  -^^j^:::z::::::z::::^zz: 

,Uis,lrethanby  re,yh.s  upon  the  evidence  of  ropoUers  fron.  the    Ch.cago  p,e«s 

" rr::r:.^;r;::,..e.ivin.near.e„i^ricai..^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

Ontario  .reet,  h..een  ,>.ar.H.rn  and  Cark.  of  ^";-;^-  J^"    ^   ^.r  m 
there      Old  Colonel  Slou- and  hm  wite,  Mi.  a.id  Mks.  a.  u  ,,,•  Preer 

„U,ers  who  were  in  there  shaved  the  same  fate,  bew.lde.ed  b>    the    u  ue  , 

:  «,.,  .,«,.  .ay  outof  abuihlin,  with  which  they  were  ^'^^^^^^J;^^, 

,,„  up  the  cellar  Htair«  and  went  into  the  readmg-roon.  on  the  ground 


I  lUvAM,  Wood'i 
c«  and  PoHl  Of. 

N  Nilii'iial,  Oer- 
Thlrd  Nalioiial, 
Ilk  of  C'oiiunorce, 
m'  National,  Mor- 
tc,  otc,  etc. 
occurrence  of  ac- 
•  tlicniselves,  and 
jt  dlesp  aniid  lUe 

niinti,  llio  centre 
d  by  anorlli-v/ent 
itii   peoplB  and  it 


re  many  Into  leap- 
ise,  liinil)or  yards, 
around  wore  soon 
hoiulbroken  crowd 
if  the  spreading  of 
a    Chicago  pre8»— 

aciely   nuildiug  on 
Iter  ruin  wliii;h  the 
V  sou'^lil  Hheller  in 
ll:ininial)le  maU-.vial. 
il   Society,  William 
ainly  sought  refuge 
lieii-  daughters,  Mrs. 
.il  p>M>i)lo,  Dr.  Freer 
property  helonging 
lliohard's  place,  and 
of  a  tiuuk,  and  Mrs. 
I,  for  the  8lairs,  lead- 
tone  Huftbcated  and, 
r  that  nearly  all  the 
le  fumes,  and  unahle 
ainted.     Mr.  Oockran 
ho  ground  floor,  and 


(JIIKAT    FlKl,    IN    (•|nC.4IJ0. 


10 


Ihencc  hurriml  up  into  the  library  mom.  At  ihut  'Inn-  there  did  iKrI,  sfem  to  he  any 
KymptoniM  of  lire  in  the  roof.  Then,  «oin«  down  stai'  •  aauin  into  the  lecture  «nd 
pamphlet  rooiri,  he  Haw  the  llamen  rushing  up  Ht»lr»,  and  maile  hii  exit  m  hurriedly 
ax  poHMililo.  Nothing  wan  iiavod  from  the  building,  not  even  the  Emancipation  Pro- 
clamation, and  it  Ih  now  nn  utter  and  hopelens  wreck. 

At  Chicago  avenue.  It  wan  10  o'clock  when  the  lire  got  to  Chicago  avenue,  ami 
all  down  Clark  and  Wcllii  »treetri  was  In  a  state  of  terrible  excitement.  The  lire  had 
crossed  the  river  at  aiiolher  point,  or,  rallier,  the  flying  sparks  had  Met  lire  up 
near  Ontario  .street.  Kncouragod  by  the  abitence  of  policemen,  the  roughs  along  on 
Kln/.ie  street  broke  into  the  saloons  there,  and  began  seizing  and  drinking  the  llijuor. 
Many  others,  at  the  very  moment  when.they  most  needed  all  the  solf-posseslon  they 
liad,  worried  iheniHelves,  and,  in  many  caseH,  were  surrounded  by  the  llanies  and 
stifled  by  the  smoke.  Some  were  found  lying  on  the  sidewalk,  and,  since  no  one 
any  particular  attention  to  them,  they  met  their  fate  there.  Some  women,  and 
tlielr  children,  lingered  too  long,  and  were  either  lost  In  the  house,  or  compelled  to 
jump  out  of  the  windows,  and  receiving  injuries,  remained  where  they  were.  The 
incredible  rapidity  of  the  llames  passed  all  comprehension.  They  sprang  from  side 
to  side  of  the  street,  and  skipping  extensive  tracts,  returned  to  complete  their  work 
Often  before  the  llames  had  reached  a  house,  the  thick,  black  smoke  began  to  roll  out 
of  the  chimneys,  the  result  of  the  action  of  the  intense  heat  on  the  pine  woodwork 
within.  The  Church  of  the  Holy  Nume,  which  has  a  slate  roof,  was  especially  no- 
ticeable. From  the  creviceB  of  the  slates  poured  out  eddying  whirls  of  black  smoke 
which,  after  rising  a  short  height,  burned  for  a  moment  with  an  intense  flame,  and 
then  went  out.  At  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  it  was  possible  to  get  teams,  but  it 
was  not  very  long  before  they  were  all  secured. 

So  soon  as  the  people  west  of  Clark  began  to  see  that  there  was  no  hope,  and 
that  the  fire  was  really  bound  to  go  northward  to  an  indettnlte  point,  they  turned  all 
their  minds  to  getting  over  to  the  We'-t  Division,  where  there  was  comparative  safety 
from  the  Humes,  and  plenty  of  vacant  ground  on  which  to  encamp.  So,  since  Chicago 
avenue  bridge  was  useless,  the  whole  tide  turned  toward  Division,  which,  from  Grove 
to  Halated,  was  untouched,  and  i.romised  to  remain  so.  It  was  not  many  minutes 
before  a  steady  stream  of  carriages,  drays,  express  wagons,  and  vehicles  of  every 
description  were  rushing  pell  mell  across  that  bridge,  interlocking  and  breaking, 
while  the  southern  streets  leading  up  to  Division  were  jammed  with  wagons,  which 
occasionally  caught  fire.  The  expressmen  and  draymen,  stimulated  by  the  Immense 
prices  they  were  receiving— «20  to  JoO  a  load— drove  th.Mr  heavy  teams  recklessly 
forward  breaking  down  the  weaker  teams  and  forcing  their  way  across  the  river  in 
•  order  to  return  as  soon  as  possible  for  another  load.  Sometimes  they  themselves 
came  to  grief,  and  then,  unfastening  their  horses,  tried  to  find  another  wagon. 

The  roads  were  filled  with  people  crazed  by  excitement  and  liquor,  or  stupified 
by  smoke,  and  no  regard  at  all  was  paid  to  them  bv  ihe  drivers,  so  that  at  all  thosa 


2Q  HIBTORY    OF    THE 

points  namerous  accidents  v  ere  constantly  occurring.  One  n.an  was  drh-ing  „,> 
Clark  street  with  a  heavy  load  when  he  fell  from  his  seat  and  instantly  broke  h.s 
neck  The  team  was  loaded  with  trunks  marked  "  Barton  Edsall."  Mr.  tdsaU  was 
taken  from  her  house  in  a  half  insensible  condition,  c,uite  e*rly  in  the  mornmg  It 
willlbe  remembered  that  her  husband  was  murdered  in  his  house  the  precedn^g 

Thursday  night. 

The  wanderers  crossing  Division  street  either  scattered  themselves  north  or  went 
straight  west,  while  many  encamped  themselves  upon  Grove  Island,  winch  hes  be  wee« 
the  North  Branch  and  Ogden  Canal.    When  the  trains  moved  a  little  west  they  found 
their  way  blocked  bv  the  cars  of  the  Northwestern  Ro,d,  which  had  been  run  up 
here  to  avoid  the  Are,  and  people  were  compelled  to  make  long  detours  to  get  through 
them     Many,  unable  to  force  their  way  through  the  confusion  at  D.v.s.on  street, 
which  was  almost  equal  to  that  at  the  crossing  of  the  Beresina,  turned  .nto  the  s.de 
streets,  and  made  their  way  to  North  Avenue  Bridge,  where  they  were  aWe  to  ge 
out  without  great  difficulty,  tho;-h  n.uch  han.pered  by  the  ra.lroad  trams  aft^r  the 
got  across  there.     Not  only  teams,  but  foot  passengers,  carrying  in  the.r  arms  ch.l- 
flren  and  some  Utile  articles  of  furniture  or  wearing  apparel,  wended  their  weary  way 
n  the  -me  direction.    One  woman  had  nothing  but  a  silk  sack    and  ano  her  was 
accompanied  by  a  child,  who  had  in  its  arms  a  couple  of  cats  and  a  httle  dog,  and 
"v  n"  H«elf,  sobs  out,  .' Don't  c,y,  mamma."    After  getting  out  upon  the  pra.r.e,  they 
I  ieVdow;  wherever  th.y  could  find  room,  some   sitting  in  rockmg  chairs,  and 
oth    s  upon  blankets  on  tne  ground.    None  of  them  said  anything,  but  aU  sat  lookmg 
i,  Ln  ly  at  the  fire  which  was  immediately  before  them.    Many  who  had  teams  went 
as  far  west  as  the  Artesian  Well,  where  they  encamped  around  the  large  pond,  which 
supplied  them  with  water.    There  they  remained  in  the  most  forlorn  and  uncomfort- 
Sc  ndition,  which  was  aggravated  by  the  rain,  which  began  fa  Img  about    1 
o'lock  on  Monday  nigh,  and  which  caused  a  change  from  the  warm  and  comfortable 
temperature  oi  the  day,  to  the  piercing  chilliness  of  Tuesday  mormng. 

Late  on  Monday  evening,  Chicago  avenue  bridge  caught  ftre,  and  soon  fell  into 
the  river.  It  was  even  then  alm3st  impossible  to  get  over  at  Division  street,  on 
account  of  the  teams  which  were  even  then  crossing.  Everywhere  the  widest  con- 
fusion  was  prevailing.  Families  were  separated,  and  vhe  members  were  van. ly  seek- 
n^  or  one  another."  One  policeman  picked  up  a  three  months'  old  chUd,  winch  had 
been  lost  in  some  way.  Since  there  was  no  use  in  facing  the  Aa-.  heen^mes 
arranged  themselves  along  the  west  bank  of  the  North  Branch,  did  the  best  they 
could  all  Mondav  in  playing  on  the  East  and  West  Sides. 

The  fire  went  farther  and  further  north,  taking  both  sides  of  North  avenue,  and 

continuing  north. 

The  people  Uving  north  of  Chicago  avenue  and  rather  west  of  ^^Salle  street,  were 
exceedingly  hopeful  that  they  would  escape,  and  that  the  fire  would  drift  steadily 
eLtwardrnocex'pecting  that  it  would  make  any  progress  against  the  steady  an  fu... 
west  wind.  They  also  had  great  hopes  in  Chicago  avenue,  wh.cn  a  100  foot  street. 
Z  the  flames  running  up  Clark  street,  catching  Turner  Hall  and  the  new 
building  north  of  it,  worked  west,  and  got  into  the  brick  blocks  on  the  east  *de  of  La 


lan  was  driving  np 
I  iiiBtaiiUy  broke  his 
,."  Mrs.  Edsa'l  was 
in  the  morning.  It 
liouse  tho  preceding 

iselves  north  or  went 
a,  which  lies  between 
ittle  west  they  found 
ch  had  been  run  up 
Btours  to  get  througli 
D  at  Division  street, 
,  turned  into  the  side 
liey  were  able  to  get 
road  trains  after  they 
ig  in  their  arms  cliil- 
ided  tlieir  weary  way 
,ck,  and  another  was 
and  a  little  dog,  and 
ipon  the  prairie,  they 
n  rocking  chairs,  and 
ig,  but  all  sat  looking 
who  had  teams  went 
he  large  pond,  which 
irlorn  and  uncomfort- 
legan  falling  about  11 
varm  and  comfortable 
orning. 

Ire,  and  soon  fell  into 
at  Division  street,  on 
fhere  the  wildest  con- 
bers  were  vainly  seek- 
t'  old  child,  which  had 
le  flames,  the  engines 
ich,  did  the  best  they 

of  North  avenue,  and 

}f  LaSalle  street,  were 
e  would  drift  steadily 
,  the  steady  and  furious 
ch  is  a  100  foot  street, 
r  Hall  and  the  new 
on  the  east  *de  of  La 


GREAT    FIRE    IN    CHICAaO. 


21 


r*alle,  and  then  jumped  that  street  and  got  into  the  blocks  on  tlie  west  side.  At 
about  the  same  time  it  crossed  Chicago  avenue  and  caught  McEwen's  planing  mill,  on 
Wells,  near  Pearson,  and  then  rushed  on  northward  among  the  wooden  building.* 
situated  there,  blowing  them  down  almost  before  they  were  on  fire.  Nnmberg  of  tlie 
citizens  seized  what  property  they  could,  piling  it  on  drays,  which  they  .sometimes 
dragged  themselves,  and  took  the  goods  thus  teraiiorarily  received  over  to  a  vacant 
lot  on  Franklin  street  beyond  Elm,  where  there  was  nothing  but  earth  and  green  cel- 
ery, and  there  bestowed  their  possessions  in  little  heaps,  with  which  the  ground  was 
soon  covered.  But  this  material  with  which  the  earth  was  cumbered  was  of  the  most 
incongruous  and  often  inflammable  nature.  Irish  women  brought  straw  beds,  and 
others  piled  up  chairs,  bureaux,  trunks,  and  every  conceivable  article.  It  was  not 
long  before  the  cinders,  falling  in  dense  masses,  began  to  make  of  the  surface  of  this 
lot  a  succession  of  small  bonfires,  and  the  owners,  having  no  water,  and  no  means  of 
covering  with  earth  what  they  had,  were  either  compelled  to  stamp  out  these  flames 
or  to  let  their  stuff  go,  and  confine  themselves  to  regretting  the  useless  waste  of  time, 
or  to  pick  up  the  most  portable  article  and  march  off  with  it.  One  man  was  seen 
marching  off  with  a  glass  kerosene  lamp,  and  after  he  had  carried  it  about  a  block,  he 
met  a  friend,  who  asked  him  what  was  the  use  of  carrying  a  thing  like  that  any  fur- 
ther. He  looked  at  it,  observed  that  there  did  not  seem  to  be  much  use  in  it,  and 
tossed  it  away.  Another  man  had  secured  a  rickety  and  tremulous  cart,  to  which 
was  harnessed  a  rickety  and  tremulous  horse,  and  in  it  had  a  beer  safe,  which  with 
great  regard  for  the  property  of  others,  he  was  carrying  out  of  harm's  way,  on  the 
prairie  or  elsewhere.  Other  men  took  their  goods  up  to  Lincoln  Park,  hoping  that 
there,  at  least,  they  would  be  safe.  But  there,  as  elsewhere,  the  fury  of  the  flames 
passed  their  comprehension,  and  everything  stored  there,  as  well  as  the  trees,  were 
swept  away. 

"  God  help  us,  where  is  this  to  stop  V  groaned  a  fatiier,  as  with  his  children  in 
his  arms  he  traveled  the  streets,  now  and  again  looking  back  with  a  manifestation  of 
intense  anxiety.  On— on — on— towards  the  lake  the  unfortunate  people  crowded, 
shrinking  as  the  roar  of  the  fire-torrent  neared  them.  On— on— on— to  the  beach,  and 
still  the  serpentine  monster  left  its  devastating  marks  behind,  and  advanced  on  the 
forlorn  battalions  crouching  in  the  sand,  or  crawling  in  the  water.  As  the  hiss  and 
roar  advanced,  many  drove  their  horses  into  the  lake ;  women  unused  to  fatigue,  clasp- 
ed their  children  to  tbeir  breasts  and  prayed  fervently  to  their  Maker.  Others  laughed 
with  the  hollow  glee  of  lunacy,  others  stood  petrified,  gazing  upon  the  terrible  sight 
before  them. 

These  people  were  sandwiched  between  two  walls  of  death  ! 

To  advance  was  to  be  destroyed  by  flie — to  retreat — to  meet  a  watery  grave  ! 

One  man  held  his  head  under  water  at  intervals,  anotlier  bound  his  coat  around 
his  head  and  saturated  it  with  water.  Wagons  were  capsized,  and  many  retreated  be- 
neath them  for  concealment,  and  thus  baflfled  their  foe  until  far  in  the  distance. 
Wright's  and  Ogden's  groves  could  be  seen  distinctly,  although  the  fire  had  not  yet 
reached  that  point. 

The  line  of  devastation  could  be  distinctly  traced  north-east  towards  Newbury 
School  House,  gliding  into  Webster  avenue  in  the  vicinity  of  Lincoln  Place,  there  the 


IlISTOUY    0?    THE 

22 

«.  .„«,.  CUV  .»~o, .,  «-J:;*  ™  trr,Il.,.»,,».,.  mo......  ;-.ov.i«, 

A.  Ui«  <l«y  pro8r...«l  Ih.  ma  ry  oi  ii»  ^^.j^^,^, 

lion.    From  the  corner  of  LftSalle  street  nor  ^^^^    ^^^  ^^^^ 

Ue«,arny  noticab.e  ;  in  .o.e  ...  tUe  ^^^^^^Z:;^,  ,^  ,  .^rfeet  bUndin, 
wind,  after  scooping  uMmh  and  al  m  a  body,  m  ^^^^  _ 

cloud.  Division  street  was  swept  clean,  not  -^-f  ^^^J™  \^  ,,  ,„ve  act.d 
ed  to  the  spot  where  stood  ^^^^^^'TZT^^Z^'^X^.r.er^  in  aiding 
as  fire  conductors  ;-they  burned  rap.dly,  ^"^^  ''"^'"'^ZveA  the  North  avenue  Police 
,.eho.Ushwor.  of  destruction.    \'^^^-'^^  ^^^^^^ 

Station,  whilst  the  charred  ^-^^  -"«;;^\^^'  ^^  Hospital,  the  K.  C.  ChurcM- 
worship-were  particularily  noticeable.  ^^^/'^^^J,^^  ^,,,J,  i,„,^arks  rubbish  and 
hothdisappeared-leavingscarceauace^^^^^^^^^^ 

-^^:r =.  reader,  on.  ^:^)::z:t:::^^:::zi 

the  gloom  and  bitterness  occasioned  by  the  feU  dest    y    ,       ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^.  ^^_  .^^^^ 

that  for  miles  south,  miles  north,  m.les  east,  "»  '-^  L  wheat  and  acres  of  battered 
eorners  Of  buildings,  blazmg  heaps  of  c^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^^^^„_._ 

machinery,  gr.my,  red  and  useless    ^  ^^^^^^  ^^.^..^  had  gathered 

accomplished  some  good  work  n  ts  ^'^^-^'^''''  g,,.,  „,e«rred  a  heart-rend- 

,o  be  educated  by  the  -'^-"^^^'^^s;! ^^^^       aloud-their  lamentations 

,„g  scene,  the  children  ^^^^^''^f^^'Zl  .ecu'red  wagons  and  saved  them 

being  heard  by  many  ^^''^^°"'. .  '\' J"'^',,,  ...reatened.  The  spire  of  the  Church  ot 
from  the  horrible  fate  with  whchtl^^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^  ^^^.^  ^^,  ,^,,,,,y 

Holy  Name  --'"-^-^^ '"',;'  ^.u  J  the  Rev  Robert  Collyer  delivered  so 
injuring  several  men.  ^l^X^^-^.^^.o.  the  destruction  of  Paris-now  be- 
eloquent  a  sermon  the  mght  before    d*  J  ,,,ath.  more  potent  than  mill- 

came  a  victim  to  the  element  mo  e  deadly  tha  ^^^  ^^^.^.^^  ^^  p^^^^^  ^,, 

tary  heartlessness.    At  the  Wat«r  Works  Mr.  t     g  ^^^  ^^^^^  ^^^^ 

interests  of  the  city-the  roof  '^l"- ^^'"".^f^t'Lg  out  to  the  Works.    Even 
viewing  the  Are  on  Ohio  street,  to  observe  the  flames  he^d.  g  ^^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^_ 

the  graves  in  the  old  cemetery  were  -^^^f  ^7^^;;™;  ,,,,,  „pon  the  frightful 

J.on  railings  twisted  ';-;— ^  ^^rt^^^  ^^^^  ob^ct..  the  sadden- 
work  accomplished  durmg  Monday  1  J^^y  call  ^^^.^^^  ^^^  ^^^^^. 

i„g  experiences  of  that  awful  day  1  ^^  "J"  ;;  ;"  „,  g^^om  aud  Gomorra-and 
l„g.  prevailed  upon  his  brain  to  -;^- "^^f^^™  „,  ,,,erved  pity,  hooted  as  he 
to  prophecy  a  similar  destrucUon  n^he  <.^  of  C  ^  J„  ,„„,,^,  .ho  ran  or  walked 
was,  driven  from  his  stand-he  yet  wa^  ''  ,„„„.i^„.,„  thought  what  the  m.foriunate 
or  spoke  as  though  in  a  dream,  and  ^^^^^ZlZL  rapidly  melting  streets. 

::xrr=s;:xreiv.uir.dge.^ 


D  llie  lake,  whilst 

;reased ;— nothing 
Duble  and  iribula- 
1  division  was  par- 
l  to  ashes,  and  the 
a  perfect  blinding 
I  could  have  point- 
seem  to  have  acted 
rumental  in  aiding 
orth  tvenue  Police 
-a  German  place  of 
the  K.  C.  Churck— 
imarks  rubbish  and 
B  to  Orchard,  every- 
•ther  progress  west- 

uins,  and  witnessed 
credit  the  assertion 
n  save  ruins,  jagged 
ml  acres  of  battered 
rphan  Home ;  it  had 
lildren  had  gathered 
curred  a  heart-rend- 
1— their  lamentations 
gons  and  saved  them 
)ire  of  the  Church  of 
1  down  and  severely 
CoUyer  delivered  so 
L;n  of  Paris— now  be- 
lore  potent  than  mili- 
riving  to  protect  the 
ger  was  amazed  when 
t  to  the  Works.    Even 
s  blistered  and  scaled, 
rell  upon  the  frightful 
ul  objects,  the  sadden- 
by  anxiety  and  suffer- 
om  and  Gomorra— and 
vedpity,  hooted  as  he 
eds  who  ran  or  walked 
It  what  the  uuforiunaVe 
rapidly  melting  streeU, 
,r sidewalks;  clergymen 
general  destruction— in 
ade  men  brothers. 


GREAT    FIRE    IN    ClUCAGO. 


23 


It  were  useless  te  endeavor  to  classify  the  inagniflceiit  structures  reduceil  to 
ashes  on  the  North  Side ;  happy  homos  were  made  desolate;  the  lauyli  of  youth  was 
turned  into  weei)ing;  the  plans  for  future  enjoyment  were  defeated;  the  prattling 
infant  in  the  cradle,  the  young  mother  full  of  hope— what  a  fearful  comment  on  the 
uncertainty  of  human  happiness.  Milliims  of  dollars  represented  now  by  crumbled 
ruins ;  households  pampered  in  luxury  and  ease  praying  for  an  opportunity  of  con- 
cealing themselves,  protecting  themselves,  with  paupers,  beggars  and  thieves ;  not  a 
building  to  enter,  scarce  clothing  to  cover  their  forms;  God  in  his  great  mercy  would 
not  have  sent  so  great  an  alHiction  without  mysteriously  ordering  it  for  some  wise 

purpose. 

The  following  were  a  few  of  the  destroyed  buildings  in  North  Division :  Revero 
Hotel,  Ullich's  Block,  Ewing's  Block,  the  Hatch  House,  the  Humboldt  House,  Illinois 
Street  Church,  Armour,  Dole  &  Co.'s  Elevator,  Hirara  Wheeler's  Elevator,  the  private 
residences  of  William  B.  Ogden,  J.  L.  Stark,  Isaac  N.  Arnold.  J.  K.  Rice,  George  L. 
Dunlap,  W.  B.  Iloughteling,  Samuel  Johnson,  E.  I.  Tinkham,  Thomas  Mackin,  the 
contractor,  whose  loss  is  from  four  to  five  hundred  thousand  dollars;  George  F.  and 
Julian  Rumsey,  Edward  Burling,  A.  H.  Biirley,  0.  F.  Fuller,  Dr.  C.  V.  Dyer,  Q.W. 
Goudy,  Obadiah  Jackson,  General  Bucker,  the  new  Diversey  Block,  near  the  Water 
Works,  E.  B.  McCagg,  Perry  N.  Smith,  Philip  Iloyue,  Franklin  Mosely,  Lincoln, 
Pierson  Street  Primary,  Elm  Street  Primary,  and  other  school  buildings,  the  Clarendon 
Hotel  on  Clark  Street,  the  North  Side  SUbles,  from  which  nearly  all  the  horses  were 
saved,  McCormick's  Reaper  Factory,  the  Chicago  Sugar  Refinery,  the  Galena  Freight 
House,  the  Galena  Elevator,  Lill's  and  Sand's  Breweries,  the  Tanneries  alonrf  the 
North  Branch,  the  German  Theatre  at  the  corner  of  Indiana  and  Wells  streets,  Unity, 
New  England,  and  Westminster  Churches,  the  Chapel  of  the  Holy  Name,  the  Cathe- 
dral, the  Hospital  of  the  Alexian  Brothers,  the  Jewish  Hospital  on  LaSalle  street,  the 
new  Catholic  one  on  the  corner  of  Sedgwick  and  Flm,  with  the  Convent  of  the  Sisters 
of  Mercy,  the  Chicago  Historical  Society,  the  Huron  Street  Station,  the  Bethel.  Galena 
Depot,  &c.,  &c.  , 

It  is  Tuesday. 

No  papers  are  issued.  Where  once  stood  the  Timeg  offl(;e,  from  whence  issued 
one  of  the  most  fearless,  dashing  papers  on  the  Continent,  was  now  a  ruin,  Mr. 
Storey's  loss  being  altogether  immense.  The  Tribune,  having  secured  Edwards' 
Directory  Office  on  Canal  street.  West  Side,  coalesced  with  the  Joumul,  for  the  lime 
being,  in  fact  all  the  printing  offices  nestled  closely  together  on  Canal  and  adjacent 
streets.  West  Division  was  crowde  I,  as  also  portions  of  the  South.  There  is  a 
settled  gloom  observable  ;  rich  men  on  Saturday  are  poor  to-day.  They  are  not 
downhearted,  however.  They  calmly  talk  the  matter,  each  one  wondering,  apecuiat- 
ing  as  to  how  his  safe  has  "  stood  it."  Selfish  merchants  in  some  cases  are  extortion- 
ate in  prioes  ;  they  ask  26  cents  per  pound  for  the  commonest  brand  of  sugar  ;  they 
swindle  on  bread  prices  until  a  manifesto  is  issued  forbidding  them  to  sell  for  more 
than  eight  cents  per  loaf.  One  man  hangs  out  his  shingie,  and  a  real  bona  fide  thingle, 
U)0 ;  on  it  is  inscribed  his  name,  and  underneath,  "  wife,  children  energy  !"  That  it 
all  he  had  left. 

On  the  corner  of  Canal  street  business  men  discussed  their  losses ;  Uiey 


w«re 


21 


HISTORY    OF    TFIE 


j.hilosopliifal,  but  ever  and  anon  the  trembling  lip,  tlip  un.enain  neivou'.  action,  told 
too  plainly  that  the  lieart  felt  what  the  lip  failed  to  utlor. 

Here  is  Mr.  Wentworlh  of  the  Michigan  Central ;  he  has  been  working  hard,  and 
■evidently  has  borne  his  share  of  the  fray. 

"  How  much  money  liave  you  1"  asks  his  friend. 

"  Just  fMur  dollarH,"  is  the  reply— and  one-half  goes  to  the  anxious  enquirer. 

A  trentleman  who  had  been  worth  $300,000  stood  viewing  the  destruction  of  his 
wealth  in  an  elevator.  Pointing  towards  a  mountain  of  wet,  smoldering  \vheat,  he 
baid  :     "  This  day  I  am  not  worth  a  dollar  ;  this  day  a  week  ago  I  was  possessed  of 

$300,000. 

Scenes  such  as  these  were  frefpient ;  men  came  down  from  their  wealth-created 
positions,  and  removed  the  mantle  of  business  courtesy  and  practical  coldness  which 
had  too  often  frozen  their  hearts,  and  made  them  indiflerent.to  the  troubles  and  bur- 
dens of  others  less  fortunate  in  the  battle  of  life. 

But  now  all  were  wounded,  and  able  to  practically  test  the  efTect  of  changes 
reverses  and  afflictions  upon  the  human  heart. 

During  the  day  the  following  notices,  proclamations,  etc.,  were  issued : 

"  1.  All  citizens  are  requested  to  exercise  great  caution  in  the  use  of  fire  in  their 

dwellings  and  not  to  use  kerosene  lights  at  present,  as  the  city  will  be  without  a  full 

supply  of  water  for  probably  two  or  three  days. 

2.  The  following  bridges  are  passable,  to  wit ;  All  bridges  (except  Van  Buren 
aad  Adams  streets)  from  Lake  street  south,  and  all  bridges  over  the  North  Branch  of 
the  Chicago  River. 

3.  All  good  citizens  who  are  willing  to  serve,  are  requested  to  report  at  the  corner 
of  Anne  and  Washington  streets,  to  be  sworn  in  as  special  policemen. 

Citizens  are  refpiested  to  organize  a  police  for  each  block  in  the  city,  and  to  send 
reports  of  such  organization  to  the  police  head(|uarters,  corner  of  Union  and  West 
Madison  streets. 

All  persons  neoding  food  will  be  relieved  by  applying  at  the  following  places  : 

At  the  corner  of  Ann  and  West  Washington  ;  Hlinois  Central  Railroad  round- 
house. 

M.  8.  R.  R. — Twenty-second  street  station. 

C.  B.  &Q.  R.  R. — Canal  street  depot. 

St.  L.  &  A.  R.  R.— Near  Sixteenth  street. 

C.  &  N.  W.  R.  R.— Corner  of  Kinzie  and  Canal  streets. 

All  the  public  schoolhouses,  and  at  nearly  all  the  churches. 

4.  Citizens  are  requested  to  avoid  passing  through  the  burnt  districts  until  the 
dangerous  walls  left  standing  can  be  levelled. 

5.  All  saloons  are  ordered  be  closed  at  0  p.  m.  every  day  for  one  week,  under  a 
penalty  of  forfeiture  of  license. 

6.  The  Common  Council  have  this  day  by  ordinance  fixed  the  price  of  bread  at 
eight  (8)  cents  per  loaf  of  twelve  ounces,  and  at  the  same  rate  for  loaves  of  a  less  or 
greater  weight,  and  aflBxed  a  penalty  of  ten  dollars  for  selling,  or  attempting  to  sell, 
bread  at  a  greater  rate  within  the  next  ten  dtfys. 


w.™J.- 


vims  action,  told 
oikinj  hard,  and 


JU8  enquirer, 
estruction  of  his 
lering   \vheat,  he 
was  possessed  of 

r  wealth-created 
il  coldness  which 
troubles  and  bur- 

ffect  of  changes 

issued : 

iseof  Are  in  their 
be  without  a  full 

xcept  Van  Buren 
I  North  Branch  of 

;poit  at  the  corner 
n. 

;  city,  and  to  send 
Union  and  West 

iHowing  places  : 
,  Railroad   round- 


districts  uutil  the 

one  week,  under  a 

price  of  bread  at 
•  loaves  of  a  less  or 
attempting  to   sell, 


GREAT    FIRE    IN    CHICAGO.  25 

7.  Any  hackraan,  expres.'nnn,  drayman  or  teamster  charging  more  thin  tie 
regular  fare  will  have  his  license  revoked. 

All  citizens  are  re.mested  to  aid  in  preserving  the  peace,  got  d  or.ler  and  goo.l 
name  of  our  city. 

October  10,  18"f.  R-  B.  MASJN,  Mayor." 

"Proc/(7WJrt/jo/i.— Wliereas,  in  the  providence  of  God,  to  whrse  will  we  humbly 
submit,  a  terrible  calamity  has  befallen  our  city,  which  demands  of  us  our  best  efforts 
for  the  preservation  of  order,  and  the  relief  of  the  suffering  : 

"  Be  it  known,  that  the  faith  and  credit  of  the  city  of  Chicago  is  hereby  pledge<l 
for  the  necessary  expenses  for  the  relief  of  the  sulFering.  Public  order  will  be  pre- 
served. The  police  and  special  police  now  being  appointed,  will  be  responsible  for 
the  maintenance  of  the  peace  and  the  protection  of  property. 

"  All  officers  and  men  of  the  Fire  Department  and  Health  Department  will  act  a» 
special  policemen  without  further  notice.  The  Mayor  and  Comptroller  will  give 
vouchers  for  all  supplies  funished  by  the  different  relief  committees.  The  headquar- 
ters of  the  city  government  will  be  at  the  Congregational  Church,  comer  of  West 
Washington  and  Ann  streets.  All  persons  are  warned  against  any  acU  tending  to 
endanger  property.  All  persons  caught  in  any  depredation  will  be  immetliately  ar- 
rested. 

"With  the  help  of  God  order  and  peace  and  private  property  shall  be  preserved. 
The  City  Government  and  committees  of  citizens  pledge  themselves  to  the  com- 
munity to  protect  them,  and  prepare  the  way  for  a  restoration  of  public  and  private 
welfare. 

"  It  is  believe<l  the  fire  has  spent  its  force,  and  all  will  soon  be  well." 

"  R.  B.  MASON,  Mayor. 

GEO.  TAYLOR,  Comptroller. 

By  R.  B.  MASON. 

CHARLES  C.  P,  HOLDEN. 

President  Common  Council. 

T.  B.  BROWN,  President  Board  of  Police." 

Gov.  Hayes,  who  had  been  in  Chicago  for  three  days,  assisting  in  the  work,  issued 
Ihe  following  suggestions  : 

"  To  the  People  of  Ohio  :  - 

It  is  believed  by  the  best  informed  citizens  here  that  many  thousands  of  the  suf- 
fers must  be  provided  with  the  necessaries  of  life  during  the  whole  winter.  Let  the 
efforts  to  raise  contributions  be  energetically  pushed.  Money,  food,  flour,  pork, 
clothing  and  other  articles  not  perishable  should  be  collected  as  rapidly  aa  possible, 
•especially  money,  fuel  and  flour." 

(Signed)  "  R.  B.  HAYES." 

Lieut.  Gen.  Sheridan  issued  the  following  order  : 

"  IIeadqcarters  Militaby  Division  op  Missoubi,    ) 
Chicaoo,  October  12.  J 

"  To  His  Honor  the  Mayor  : 

The  preservation  of  the  peace  and  good  order  of  the  city  having  been  intrusted  to 


se 


HISTORY    OF    THE 


roe  by  your  Honor,  I  am  hnppy  to  Btate  that  no  case  of  outbreak  or  dis.irder  has  been  re- 
porteil.  No  autlientiited  attempt  fvt  incendiarism  has  reached  me,  and  the  people  of 
tlie  city  are  cahn,  cpiiet  and  well-disposed,  The  force  at  my  ..disposal  is  ample  to 
maintain  order,  should  it  be  necessary  to  i)rotect  the  district  devastated  by  flre.  Still 
I  would  suggest  to  citizens  not  to  relax  in  their  watchfulness  until  the  smoulderina 
fires  of  the  burned  buildings  are  entirely  extinguished. 

(Signed)  r-  H.  SHERIDAN,  Lieut.  General." 

Mayor  Mason  issued  the  following  appeal : 

"  Clothing  and  all  protection  from  the  cold  will  be  needed  through  the  winter  as 
well  as  now.  Send  forward  in  as  large  quantities  as  possible.  Collect  money  and  hold 
it  subject  to  our  order.  Send  in  provisions  that  will  keep.  Cooked  meats  nearly  spoil 
before  we  can  distribute  them.  Aid  arrives  liberally.  Now  we  want  to  husband  our 
resources  as  much  as  possible,  for  a  long  winter  is  before  us,  and  the  suffering  will 
continue  until  our  laboring  classes  are  again  enabled  to  susUin  their  families. 

(Signed)  R.  B.  MASON,  Mayor." 

The  Gov.  of  Missouri,  in  his  proclamation  to  the  jieople,  said : 
"  Let  us  unite  likewise  in  the  most  generous  emulation,  and  extend  the  largest 
possible  aid  to  them  in  this  the  hour  of  misfortune.  I,  therefore,  recommend  all 
counties,  cities,  towns  and  other  corporations,  to  all  business  and  charitable  associa- 
tions, and  to  the  community  at  large,  to  take  immediate  steps  to  organize  relief  com- 
mittees to  express  the  deep  sorrow  which  Missouri  feels  at  this  overwhelmning  afflict- 
ion. It  was  only  yesterday  that  they  were  united  with  you  in  congratulating  you  on 
your  own  soil  and  in  your  own  chief  eity,  whilst  their  own  homes  were  being  des- 
troyed. Let  us  respond  by  throwing  open  wide  our  own  doors  to  those  who  are  with- 
out shelter,  by  sending  bread  and  raiment  at  once,  and  by  such  contributions  ward  off 
further  distress,  as  the  generous  heart  of  our  own  great  State  will  be  proud  to  trans- 
mit, in  recognition,  too,  of  the  warm  and  intimate  feeling  that  has  heretofore  so  close- 
ly bound  ourcitizens  together.  I  cannot  forbear  lo  extend  to  all  who  have  been  thus 
stricken  down  in  the  midst  of  an  unbounded  prosperity,  the  sincerest  sympathy  of 
Missouri's  sons  and  daughters  in  their  distress. 

Done  at  the  city  of  Jefferson  this  9th  day  of  October,  A.  D.  1871. 

B.  GRATZ  BROWN, 
Governor  of  Missouri." 

The  following  dispatch  was  received  Oct.  12th,  by  Archbishop  Spaulding  : 

"  To  Archbishop  Spa ulding,  Chicago : 

The  cathedral,  six  churches,  orphan  asylums,  hospitals,  House  of  the  Good 
Shepherd,  schools,  charitable  institutions  and  Bishop's  house  are  in  ruins.  Over  100,- 
000  people  are  homeless.  1  beg  you  for  a  general  collection  in  your  church  ne>:'  o"^- 
day.  The  Superintendent  of  the  Tel -graph  Company  asks  you  to  r-port  this  ...cwage 
to  the  Prelates  of  the  co\intry  as  our  wires  are  too  crowded  and  few.  Request  all  re- 
mittances to  be  to  yourself.  ^^^^  ^^^^^  ^.^^^^  ^^  ^^.^^^, 


And  from  one  end  of  the  Continent  to  the  other  arrived  assurances  of  aid  and  sup- 


port. 


1.. 


(ler  lias  been  re- 
d  the  people  of 
>8al  is  ample  to 
I  by  fire.  Still 
16  smoulderiiia 

Bill.  General." 


jh  the  winter  as 
money  and  hold 
jats  nearly  spoil 
to  husband  our 
le  siiflfering  will 
families. 
SON,  Mayor." 


[lend  the  largest 
,  recommend  all 
laritable  associa- 
anize  relief  com- 
rhelmning  afllict- 
atulating  you  on 
were  being  des- 
)se  who  are  witli- 
ibutions  ward  off 
le  proud  to  trans- 
retofore  so  close- 
10  have  been  thus 
•est  sympathy  of 


rZ  BROWN, 

ir  of  Missouri." 

paulding : 


use  of  the  Good 
ruins.  Over  100,- 
church  ne:»:'  o"n- 
(port  this  u.c'isage 
'.  Request  all  re- 
op  of  Chicago.'' 
:es  of  aid  and  sup- 


GREAT    FIRK    IN    CHICAGO.  27 

It  may  be  interesting  in  the  future  as  a  reference  to  know  some  of  the  prominent 
towns  and  cities  which  contributed  to  the  fund  for  relief  of  suderers.  It  would  prove 
an  impossibility  to  publish  all  these  who  poured  into  the  Treasury  their  small  or  great 
contributions ;  thousands  of  individuals  halved  their  finances  and  prayed  Providence 
to  help  the  stricken  people.  North,  south,  east,  west— across  the  prairies  or  across 
the  ocean— across  mountain  steeps  or  in  the  radiant  valley— all  came  forward  to  prove 
that  Charity  was  yet  an  attribute  of  man's  nature.    Here  are  the  prominent  oaes : 

City  St.  Louis i  50,000 

Citizens  of  St.  Louis 70,000 

Pittsfleld,   Massachusetts 6,000 

J.  M.  Gould,  Santa  Fe 425 

Boston,  Massachuf etts  (various  contributions) 400,000 

Kansas  City,  Missouri 10,000 

Pittsburgh,   Pennsylvania— citizens 200,000 

City  Council 100,000 

Hamilton,  Ontario 2,000 

Patterson,  New  Jersey 7,000 

First  installment  of  Urbana,  Ohio 1>000 

Buffalo,  New  York 100,000 

Indianapolis,  Indiana 40,000 

First  National  Bank,  Greencastle,  Indiana 2,000 

Cincinnati,  Ohio 225,000 

Leavenworth,  Kansas 10,000 

Collin.  Randall  &  Co.,  New  York 1,000 

Quincy,  IHinois 16,000 

Montreal  Board  of  Trade 10,000 

Meadville,  Pennsylvania 8,000 

Fort  Wayne,  Indiana 2,000 

Jeffersonville,  Indiana 1,000 

Portland,  Maine 20,000 

Baltimore  American  subscription  list 10,000 

Watertown,  Mass.,  in  addition  to  the  fifty  cages  of  clothing 1,000 

Rondout,  New  York 2,000 

San  Francisco  Stock  Exchange,  in  gold 8,000 

Adams  Express  Company 10,000 

Alex  Martin 2,000 

James  Roosevelt,  Hyde  Park,  New  York 1,000 

Lawrence,  Kansas 10,000 

Joseph  Barrett  &  Co  ,  Boston 1,000 

Amsterdam,  New  York 8,000 

D.  S.  Morgan  &  Co.,  London,  England 6,000 

Drexel,  Morgan  &  Co.,  New  York 5,0C0 

City  of  Rochester  and  Monroe  county,  New  York 70,000 

Port  Byron,  New  York 260 

San  Francisco  subscriptions 25,000 


28  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Which  they  iiitend  to  adtl fTJ.OOO 

SlBiidnriJ  Li'e  Insurance  Company,  New  Yoik 1>000 

Wnynf  sviUe,  Ohio 2,000 

Tonnto,  OnUrio,  (gold) 10,000 

N.  E.  Dodac,  London,  England 10,000 

Citizens  of  Missruri 20,000 

City  of  SI.  Joseph ^''^^ 

C.mnly  of  Missouri 18,0<)0 

Syracuse,  New  Yorlc 26,000 

Jeffersonville,  Indiana V^^ 

Police  Department,  Washington,  D.  C ^^ 

New  OrleanB,  subscriptiors  incomplete 10,000 

Mechanics  Trade  Exchange,  Brooklyn 1.^00 

Haverh.ll,  Massachusetts 10,000 

Shaneetown,  Illinois 5,000 

Guardian  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  New  York 1,000 

Tcpeka,  Kancas MOO 

Louisville 200,000 

Naragar.sett  Steamship  Co ^^^ 

Oswego  ^2,000 

Newark  ^^•^'^ 

Trenton 17,000 

Rome,  N.  Y 2,500 

Palmyra,  New  York •'^'OOO 

Robinson,  Shade  &  Co.,  New  York 500 

Employees  of  the  Department  of  the  Interior,  Washington,  D.  C. . .  4  000 

Manufacturers  and  Builders  Fire  Insurance  Company 5,000 

North  British  and  Mercantile  Fire  Insurance  Company,  London 5,000 

Employees  of  the  Engraving  and  Printing  Bureau,  Washington....  1,400 

Ohio  Falls  Car  Cotrpany,  JefTersonville,  Indiana 1,000 

Philadelphia 130,000 

Whitman  &  Field,  manufacturing  company,  Shielburg,  Mass 500 

Jacksonville,  Illinois ^00 

Protestant  Episcopal  General  Convention,  in  session  at  Baltimore . .  2,000 

Laflin  Powder  Company ^'^^O 

Greencastle,  Indiana,  council  appropriation 2,000 

Manchester,  New  Hampshire 15,000 

Henry  Fawn,  of  New  Haven,  Connecticut 5,000 

Terre  Haute,  Indiana 10,000 

Bloomington,  Illinois 15,000 

Decatur,  Hlinois 5,000 

Green  Castle  citi?ens 1,-00 

New  York  Gold  Exchange 12,000 

Alexander  T.  Stewart,  New  York 50,000 

Erie,  Pennsylvania 15,000 


$75,000 

1,000 

2,000 

10,000 

10,000 

i:o,ooo 
n,ooo 

18,0<)0 
26,000 
1,000 
600 
10,000 
1,000 
10,000 
5,000 
1,000 
6,000 
200,000 
1,000 
,     12,000 
.     30,000 
.     17,000 
,       2,500 
.       3,000 
500 
,       4000 
6,000 
.       5,000 
.       1,400 
.       1,000 
.   130,000 
500 
500 
.       2,000 
1,000 
.       2,000 
.     15,000 
.       5,000 
.     10,000 
.     15,000 
5,000 
.       1,200 
.     12,000 
,.     50,000 
,.     15,000 


(IIIE.VT    FIRE    IN'    CIIICAOa  29 

pphoii  i^n.ooo 

Baltimoio 2(M>,0()0 

Concord,  N.  11 7,400 

LancftNter,  Pa 25,000 

Mason  Cily,  Illinois '2M 

Danville,  lliinoiH 1,750 

Clinlsea,  MaflHachusettH 2ti0 

New  York  Cotton  Exchange 6,000 

Lafayette,  Indiana 10.000 

London,  (Canada) 2,000 

Lynn,  MaHHachusetls 5,000 

Keokuk,  Iowa 6,360 

Commercial  Excliango  Philadelphia 10,000 

General  Julius  »*'hite,  Evansville,  Illinois 600 

Industaial  Exhibition  Fair,  Buffalo, 6,000 

Paris.  Illinois 1,000 

Up  to  Saturday  night  the  14th,  the  following  llgures  were  recognized  as  being  a 
fair  estimate  of  the  subscriptions  already  raised  : 

LONDON,  ENO.,  LIST   OP  SUBSCRIPTIONS. 

Amount. 

Corporation  of  London 9  6,000 

Private  citizens  of  London 35,000 

Messrs.  Baring,  of  London 5,000 

Messrs.  Rothschild  of  London 6,000 

Messrs.  Morgan,  of  London 5,000 

Messrs.  Brown,  Siiepley  &  Co.,  of  London 6,000 

Great  Western  Railway,  of  Canada,  London 6,000 

Grand  Trunk  Railway,  of  Canada,  London 5,000 

Liverpool  Chamber  of  Commerce 2,000 

American  Chamber  of  Commerce,  of  Liverpool 1,800 

Total  (gold) $73,800 

Recapitulation. 

Total  to  October  12  inclusive 81,375,880.00 

Received  at  New  Vork  Herakt  office 1,079.45 

At  Chamber  of  Commerce 48,266.15 

At  Stock  Exchange 2,825.00 

At  Cotton  E.xchange 1,250.00 

At  Produce  Exchange/ 8,814.00 

Brooklyn 126,000.00 

At  Grocers'  Board  of  Trade 33,053.00 

Hardware  trade 15,111.50 

Fourth  avenue  and  Twenty-eighth  street 120.00 

Union,  Adams  &  Co 86.00 

Miscellaneous  city  collections 47,262.20 

Other  cities  (including  Canada) 454,600  00 

Euroi)e 78,800.00 

Clothing,  &c.,  estimated 600,000.00 


f 


80 


HISTORY    OK    TIIK 


Hon  K.  C.  Ii.K<^iKoll,  on  bel.alf  of  ll.o  Illinois  Stale  AsHociaUon,  Wasl.inaton,  D.  C, 
Ima  forwavae.1  l.y  special  inoHHenger  >3,727,  an.l  ,.rovi«ionN,  nn.l  «ent  move  llie  next 
day  Omaha  also  raisod  a  fund,  whilst  many  of  those  mentioned  added  largely  to 
these  contri!...tionH  during  the  paHt  week.  Food  and  ololhing  arrived  in  ahundance- 
Imndreds  of  cars  conveyed  it  thither-whilM  it  was  rumored  in  many  caHen  parties  se- 
cured the  charity  of  committees,  and  after  obtaining  article*  or  passes  on  railways, 
K,ld  them  i  such  case*,  happily,  were  few  and  far  between  ;  a  bitter  lesson  hr.d  been 
Uught^let  us  hope  it  benefitted  thousands  who  seldom  before  appeared  thai«Vful  for 
the  protecting  hand  of  Providence. 

It  ii  Wednesday.  The  people  desired  to  blot  out  the  past  — rub  the  old  reckoning 
off  the  slate  and  commence  anew.  The  TribuM  had  already  furnished  admirable  re- 
porU,  and  we  are  indebted  to  the  able  reporters  for  the  annexoH  p^thy  Information, 

Owing  to  tho  fact  that  the  North  Division  was  accessible  only  .c  oss  Kinzie  and  Di- 
vision street  bridges  and  through  the  dark  Lasalle  street  tunnel,  passage  throug'i 
which  was  forbidden  to  teams,  the  i)eople  who  yesterday  visited  that  quarter  of  th« 
city  were  chielly  those  who  had  formerly  lived  there,  and  were  hunting  for  shreds  an(' 
scraps  of  property,  or  were  trying  to  find  the  places  where  they  had  once  lived  ani. 
the  property  they  had  once  owned.    The  great  rush  of  visitors  on  foot  and  in  carria- 
ges was  across  Randolph,  Lake,  and  Madison  street  bridges  into  the  South  Division. 
People  from  the  West  Side,  from  lower  down  on  the  South  Division,  and  strangers 
who  had  just  reached  the  city,  all  turned  in  that  direction,  and  wandered  from  point 
to  point,  often  pu/.zled  as  to  their  whereabouts,  and  seeking  in  vain  for  old  and  famil- 
iar landmarks.    The  principal  business  in  the  South  Division  yesl.^day  was  the  digg- 
ing out  of  safes  from  the  smoking  buildings  in  which  they  were  bur.^d.     Several  per- 
.sons  were  shrewd  enough  to  make  that  a  business,  and  they  succeeded  in  getting  all 
the  work  thev  wanted.    A  few  ropes,  shovels,  levers,  and  occasionally  a  little  water, 
made  up  the'stock  in  trade.    Some  had  gotten  out  their  fourth  safe  by  2  o'clock,  and 
were  hunting  aronnd  in  search  of  other  jobs.    Mony  of  the  safes  came  up  in  excel- 
lent condition,  while  others  were  the  most  deplorable  wrecks.     One  of  Herring's  lay 
on  River  street  near  Rush  street  bridge,  the  interior  wood-work  gone,  and  all  the  pa- 
pers charred.    The  Harris  safe  of  Deeflfenbacher  who  is  in  the  tobacco  business  on 
Water  street,  was  also  found  to  be  worthless.    It  contained  papers  valued  at  about 
e40,000.    Others  were  taken  out  which  had  apparently  passed  unharmed  through  the 
fiery  trial.    Others  which  had  been  oi)ened  were  found  to  be  in  excellent  condition. 
All  things  considered,  they  have  stood  rather  better  than  was  expected.    Many  which 
have  been  gotten  out  were  not  opened  for  a  day  or  two,  until   they  got  somewhat 
cooled  off.    McVicker  was  working  to  get  out  his  and  they  were  also  laboring  on  one 
or  two  other  buildings.  . 

Another  business  was  started  by  a  man  in  a  cart,  who  drove  down  Randolph  to  the 
lake  displaying  a  sign  "Removal  signs  painted  here,"  so  that  persons  desirous  of 
sticking  up  upon  the  ruins  of  their  stores  a  notice  of  the  places  at  which  they  intend- 
ed  U>  reopen  business  could  do  so.  Nothing  strikes  the  eye  more  favorably,  in  going 
near  the  South  Side,  than  the  great  number  of  these  little  Bulletin  Boards,  which 
have  been  roughly  lettered  off  with  notices  of  removal,  generally  to  Wabash  avenue 
or  te  West  Canal  or  Randolph  street*,  and  they  give  abundant  proof  that  the  energies 
of  the  merchants  have  not  been  crushed  out  by  the  catastrophe  which  has  befallen 

liiem. 


■-Tat^y*^"'*^-'**"''"''-''*' 


lin^lon,  D.  C, 
iioiP  llie  next 
led  largely  to 
I  abundance — 
iHes  parties  se- 
s»  on  railwnyF» 
'88on  lir.d  been 
d  Ibatdcfiil  for 

I  old  reckoiiin<{ 
admirable  re- 
Information, 
Kinzie  and  Di- 
MHage  tliroug'i 
quarter  of  tli« 
;  for  shreds  aw' 
once  lived  aiii 
,  and  in  carria- 
South  Division, 
and  strangers 
ired  from  point 

■  old  and  fanul- 
f  was  the  dictg- 

Several  per- 
id  in  getting  all 
y  a  little  water, 
)•  2  o'clock,  and 
ine  up  in  excel- 
f  Herring's  lay 
and  all  the  i)a- 
co  business  on 
alued  at  about 
led  through  the 
lUent  condition, 
d.    Many  which 

■  got  somewhat 
laboring  on  one 

Elandolph  to  the 
sons  desirous  of 
lich  they  intend- 
irorably,  in  going 
Boards,  which 
Wabash  avenue 
that  the  energies 
lich  has  befallen 


GKKAT    FIUE    IN    CIIIC.VOO. 


81 


On  crohMUg  the  river  at  Madison  street  there  Is  a  vaoamy  -n  th.'  north  side  of 
the  bl.eet  and  nothing  else,  and  with  a  few  noticeable  exceptions  there  remain  but  in- 
significant an.'  one-story  relics  of  once  flrst-class  buildings.  Law's  coal  yard  on  the 
south  side  of  the  street  is  on  lire,  and  even  where  the  Hames  have  not  broken  out, 
the  white  smoke  is  pouring  out  at  a  fearful  rate.  Some  of  It  may,  however,  be  saved, 
by  the  liberal  and  constant  use  of  water.  Ueyond  there,  going  east,  there  Is  practi- 
cally nothing  until  the  relics  of  the  Otis  Block  are  reached,  at  the  corner  of  LaSalle 
and  Madison.  Just  to  the  south  on  LaSalle,  the  walls  of  the  Arcade  building,  which 
was  immediately  in  the  rear  of  the  Farwell  Hall,  remain  comparatively  intact. 

The  Trihune  was,  by  .several  hours,  the  last  building  in  Chicago  to  survive  the 
general  destruclioM,  and  iumagnilicentflre-proof  building  was  the  last  to  succumb, 
althounh  it  had  been  surrounded  by  fire  on  two  sides  for  about  four  hours.  The 
buildim-  was  a  perfect  model  of  architeclHral  elegance,  and  had  been  constructed 
throughout  wilh\efe.ence  to  safety  and  durability  in  case  of  fire.  The  ceilings  wore 
Of  corrugated  iron,  resting  upon  wrought  iron  "  I  "  beams,  while  every  partition  wall 
in  the  entire  structure  was  of  brick.  It  was,  in  all  respects,  one  of  the  most  abso- 
lutely "  fire-proof  buildings  ever  erected.  That  is,  it  was  fire-proof  up  to  the  date 
of  its  destruction.  It  was  completed  in  April,  180!.,  at  a  cost  of  e225,000,  and  its 
contents  were  fully  8100,000  more.  Relying  upon  tne  integrity  of  their  edifice,  the 
Tribune  Company  had  taken  no  insurance,  although  they  have  little  cause  to  regret 
this  ne-Tlect.  In  the  corner  of  the  first  floor  was  the  counting-room  and  business 
office,  with  a  fire-proof  vault  for  the  safe  keeping  of  records,  valuables,  etc.  Oa  the 
Madison  and  Dearborn  street  fronts  were  elegant  stores  of  various  kinds,  all  filled 
with  stocks  of  goods.  In  the  basement  wore  the  boilers  and  engines,  two  of  Hoe's 
eight-cylinder  presses,  several  folding  machines,  large  quantities  of  printing  paper, 
and  a  vast  collection  of  miscellaneous  machinery,  tools,  appliances  and  material 
necessary  to  the  carrying  on  of  a  great  newspaper. 

The  second  and  third  floor  of  the  building  were  devoted  to  offices,  all  of  which 
were  occupied.    On  the  fourth  floor  were  the  editorial  and  composing  rooms,  all  su- 

perbly  fitted  up. 

As  stated  above,  the  building  withstood  the  storm  for  several  hours,  and  it  was 
not  nntil  10  o'clock  on  Monday  forenoon,  six  hours  after  it  had  seemingly  escaped, 
that  it  was  reached  from  the  eastward  from  McVicker's  Theatre.  The  interior  wood- 
work and  combustible  material  was  consumed  at  once,  but  the  floor,  and  walb.  gen- 
erally remained  intact,  although  all  were  so  blistered,  cracked  and  twisted  as  to  be 
almost  worthless  for  future  use. 

In  the  private  office  of  the  business  manager  on  the  ground  floor  was  a  relic  of  the 
siege  of  Paris,  a  Krupp  shell,  which  fired  by  the  heat,  and.  exploding  tore  a  wide 
breach  in  the  walls  in  its  vicinity. 

•  A  search  among  the  ruins  reveals  the  gratifying  fact  that  the  two  eight  cyliner  pres- 
eee  valued  at  about  $60,000,  are  not  seriously  damaged.  It  is  believed  that  both  can 
be  'restored  to  service  at  a  small  cost.  The  four  turtles  are  also  all  riuht,  including 
the  two  which  were  on  the  press  when  the  men  got  scared  and  left.  The  Post  Office 
building  also  stood  well,ita  wall  being  intact,  and  its  roof  is  not  entirely  gone.  It  can 
probably  be  repaired.  At  the  northeast  comer  of  SUte  and  Madison  Street  sUvudB, 
comparatively  uniiyured.the  unfinished  brown  stone  front  which  was  erect.na  there. 


12 


1 
HISTORY    OF    THE 


J  J 


!  i 


i 


BIrirp  ihew  wa*  notliiiig  In  It  to  Imrn,  Hn  front  hIkiwh  very  fow  trnces  of  Hoorrhliig. 
Tli«>  (lorrick  wliich  >-\*»m\  \u  front  of  it  han  fnlltMi  agiihiHt  ono  of  tli<<  ii|i|Htr  windows,  but 
hHH  lirokcn  notliiug.  Of  tlic  niagnilicii-nt  blta-lc  oicupled  liy  the  Wuntern  News  Com- 
pany,  8.  C.  Origgn  St,  Co.,  only  a  fragnionl  ri'nmlri,  the  siouthwcNtern  coriwr  of  the 
wall  riHing  to  tlit<  Kecund  Ntory  helglit. 

At  the  corner  of  Waxhington  and  8tate  stands  the  building  which  had  un(|ues- 
tiunably  best  stood  the  trial  by  Are — the  First  National  Bank.  Its  walls  seem  per- 
fectly safi",  althonuh  the  floors  have  sntfered.  Field,  King  St,  Co.  retain  their  ortice  in 
the  basement,  where  Robert  Law  is  also  installed,  and  if  the  room  were  only  swept 
out,  and  the  ])ieces  of  paper  removed,  no  one  oould  |)ercieve  tliat  anything  had  gone 
wrong  overhead,  Untiuestionably  the  comparatively  slight  repairs  will  |)iit  it  in 
order  again,  and  it  will  .serve  as  a  nucleus  fur  building  in  that  (juarter.  Turning  east 
Into  Washington  street,  the  way  is  encumbered  with  the  limestone  blocks  which  once 
formed  part  of  Field,  Leiter  St,  Co.'s  store,  and  which  were  thrown  there  when  the 
building  was  blown  up.  Mixed  up  with  brick,  telegraph  wire,  and  other  debris,  it 
makes  a  mass  of  rubbish  which  ought  to  have  impeded  the  progress  of  the  flames, 
but  did  not  do  so.  Down  in  the  basement,  piles  of  dry  goods  are  still  burning  and 
epjitting  an  unpleasant  stench.  On  the  opposite  side  of  Washington,  the  photo- 
graphers' places  and  the  other  stores  have  vanished,  while  Drake's  Block  is  decidedly 
more  of  a  ruin  than  it  was  a  year  ago.  The  ipiestion  of  the  removal  of  the  Second 
Presbyterian  congregation  has  been  eternally  settled.  The  hard  limestone  walls  of 
the  church  resisted  very  well,  notwithstanding  the  slight  amount  of  pitumen  in  them. 
The  southern  tower  remains,  and  the  walls  are  all  upon  a  level  with  a  point  just  above 
the  great  front  windows,  Tlie  experience  of  this  Are  has  been  rather  imfavorable  to 
the  softer  limestones  from  Lerao:it,  and  has  shown  that,  after  all.  a  thick  wall  of  good 
brick  will  stand  as  well,  and  resist  the  action  of  the  flames,  as  well  as  any  stone  that 
is  used  here.  excepling[granite.  The  eftect  of  the  lire  upon  the  Athens  marble  has 
been  remarkable.  In  some  places  the  stone  has  disappeared  altogether.  In  others, 
such  as  the  LaSalle  street  front  of  the  Court  House,  it  has  been  gnawed  and  eaten 
awny,  or  fallen  on  the  great  flakes.  The  sandstone  and  granite  may  not  have  been 
exposed  to  so  intense  a  flame,  but  they  certainly  stood  very  well.  The  Tribune  build- 
ing was  badly  scorched,  but  the  stone  was  not  materially  ii\jured.  Dearborn  Park  has 
been  taken  possession  of  by  Keen  &  Cooke  and  Lord  St,  Smith,  while  right  across  the 
way,  on  the  Base  Ball  Oround,  the  fence  surrounding  which,  has  been  wiped  out,  is  a 
sign  to  the  effect  that  parties  wanting  room  on  public  grounds  must  go  to  C,  B. 
Farwell,  at  the  corner  of  Thirteenth  and  Michigan  Avenue.  The  American  Mer- 
chants' Union  Express  have  obtained  possession  of  a  part  of  the  ground,  including 
the  diamond,  and  Oray  Brothers  have  hold  of  the  north  fifty  feet  of  the  base  ball  lot. 
C.  T.  Bolles,  dealer  in  stoves,  has  also  begun  running  up  a  small  booth.  The  ground 
is  covered  with  piles  of  lumber,  and  bears  a  more  striking  resemblance  to  Cheyenne 
in  its  incipient  days,  than  anything  else.  The  iron  stores  of  J.  V.  Ayer,  Hall,  Kimbark 
&  Co.,  and  others,  on  Michigan  avenue,  between  Lake  and  Randolph  streets,  present 
a  curious  spectacle.  They  are  filled  with  iron,  twisted,  distorted,  and  bent  out  of  all 
shape,  while  across  the  street  the  immense  iron  rafters  and  beams  have  been  dealt 
with  in  a  most  extraordinary  fashion.  In  many  of  these  stores,  and,  indeed,  generally 
in  the  wholesale  warehouses,  the  fires  were  still  burning,  and,  of  course,  no  attempt 


»i'. 


GREAT    FiUE    IN    t'llK'AdO. 


8t 


H   (if  NOOri'llillg. 

r  wiiidowH,  bul 
»rn  News  Com- 
curiinr  of  the 

:h  had  un({uea- 
vMa  seem  per- 
1  tlieir  utHue  in 
ere  only  swept 
.liiiig  had  gone 
will  |)iit  it  in 
Turning  east 
:ks  which  once 
^here  when  the 
lither  debris,  it 
of  the  flames, 
111  burning  and 
)n,  the  photo- 
ck  is  decidedly 
of  the  Second 
estone  walls  of 
umen  in  them, 
oint  just  above 
unfavorable  to 
k  wall  of  good 
any  stone  that 
BUS  marble  has 
er.  In  others, 
.wed  and  eaten 
not  have  been 
Tribune  build- 
born  Park  has 
ight  across  the 
wiped  out,  is  a 
st  go  to  C.  B. 
Lmerican  Mer- 
luud,  including 
e  base  ball  lot. 
.  The  grountt 
:e  to  Cheyenne 
Hall,  Kimbark 
itreets,  present 
bent  out  of  all 
lave  been  dealt 
leed,  generally 
rse,  no  attempt 


was  made  to  put  Uiem  oul.  i  lie  sidewalks  of  tlie  Union  Depot,  tliirk  and  stniiii?,  are 
(dill  standing,  but  the  ofllcej  in  the  rear  have  cived  In,  except  at  the  northeast  corner, 
where  one  tall  pinnacle  remains.  The  building  occupied  by  the  Chicago,  llurlington 
&  Quincy  and  Michigan  Central  Roads  has  been  gutted,  but  the  walls  are  still  partiallly 
standing.  The  Michigan  Central  Freight  Depot  has  alio  been  cleaned  out,  though  the 
walls  are  up  to  the  spring  of  the  roof.  Quite  an  amount  of  sugar  was  lost  here. 
Just  south  of  this  depot  half  a  dozen  cars  were  burned,  the  trucks  yet  remaining  on 
the  track.  Near  by  was  a  car  which  had  just  run  up  from  Tolono,  on  the  Illinois 
Central  Road,  tilled  with  jirovisious.  generally  bread  and  cheene,  some  of  which  were 
issued  on  the  spot  to  hungry  men  who  hap))ened  to  be  near  by.  The  trains  of  the 
Illinois  and  Michigan  Central  stop  jast  in  front  of  the  old  depot. 

At  the  head  of  the  slip  which  lies  just  west  of  Elevator  A  was  the  Providence,  one  of 
the  live  AnioHkcng  NtcaintMs  which  cnnie  on  from  Pittsburg,  and  t!io  Pliicnix,  of  Det- 
roit, engngi'd  in  pumping  water  through  along  line  of  hose,  past  the  rui-is  of  the  Mas- 
sasoit  House,  to  wet  down  the  ruins  beyond.  Another  engine  wos  near  the  Central 
Elevator,  playing  upon  the  innnense  hill  of  wlie\t,  which  was  in  Elevator  A,  and  which 
wos  bursting  in  little  puH's  of  smoke  all  over  its  surfiice.  It  cannot  bo  very  easily  ex- 
tinguished, and  all  that  is  expected  is  that  it  will  gradually  smoulder  away.  The 
Marine  Hospital,  an  old  ond  substantial  building,  is  in  very  good  order,  comparatively. 
Of  course  the  inner  walls  and  the  roof  are  gone,  but  the  outside  walls  have  stood  it 
very  well. 

It  is  not  possible  to  ascertain  as  yet  the  entire  amount  of  shipping  lost  along  the 
river  aiid  the  branches.  The  Navarino,  however,  a  new  vessell  belonging  to  Captain 
floodrich,  was  lying  off  Goodrich's  docks,  and  tried  to  run  out,  but  stuck  just  beyond 
and  behind  Rathbone's  stove  manufactory  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  aud  sunk  tliore, 
_  her  boilers  now  Ijeen  just  visible.  Eight  or  nine  schooners  and  brigs  were  also  caught 
near  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  burned  to  the  water's  edge.  From  Rush  street 
bridge  east,  on  the  north  bank,  the  coal  hea|)s  are  in  a  blaze.  Rathbone's  place,  and 
all  inuiiedintely  east  of  that,  are  safe.  Rush  street  bridge  itself  is  a  hopeless  and  utter 
wreck,  as  is  also  the  state  one.  The  great  wholesale  houses  on  River  street  have  been 
completely  swejit  away,  and  nothing  is  left  tit  give  an  iilea  of  what  was  once  done  there, 
except  that  in  some  places  there  is  iron,  and  in  another  a  quantity  of  lime  which  has 
been  effectually  ruined  by  the  heat.  Along  li,»re  were  one  or  two  burnt  safes,  and  as 
many  disgusted,  but  uncomplaining,  owners. 

Water  street  is  done  for,  and  State  street,  from  the  bridge  to  the  First  National 
Bank,  is  in  the  same  condition.  At  the  northweiit  corner  of  Clark  and  Water  streets, 
one  corner  of  a  building  is  standing,  but  ought  to  be  taken  down  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  Sherman  House  has  totally  disappeared,  and  the  remains  in  that  part  of  the 
city  are  so  scanty  as  to  make  it  almost  impossible  to  identify  localities.  On  many  of 
these  streets  women  and  children  were  engaged  in  collecting  scraps  of  iron  and  all 
kinds  of  rubbish  from  the  still  hot  buildings.  Some  boys  had  found  on  Water  street 
a  lot  of  China  doll  heads,  scorched  but  unbroken,  and  were  carrying  thera  off  as  rel- 
ics. Three  men  were  also  moving  up  the  river  in  a  row  boat,  intent  on  doing  a  little 
wrecking,  if  they  got  a  chance.  The  burnt  district  is  now  so  thoroughly  patro'led  by 
regulars  that  there  need  be  np  apprehensions  as  to  the  perpetration  of  more  thefts. 


■~^:T^^f'^^^s^:^sr*i^ 


84 


HISTORY    OF    THE 


The  old  pari  of  the  Court  House  is  gutted,  but  the  wing*  have  .tood  very  well,  and 

'"'  ";:: 'wal  rrJl.  stores  of  tl.  Bo^d  of  Trade  huUding  are  .ill  standing. 

The  ellect  of  the  fire  upon  the  different  kinds  of  pavement  has  been  very  curious. 
AS  ZZ  of  course  the  stone  stood  it  the  best,  but  the  large  cobble  stones  spht^n 
„any  instances.    The  asphalt  laid  in  the  Court  House  square  was  no    .nju^ed  at  aH^ 
The  new  cylindrical  block  pavement  on  Clark  street  stood  ^^y  ^f^^^^^^^^r 
Place  whore  the  tar  kettle  had  run  over  and  a  great  str,p  was  eaten  out     The  tar 
wasgone  f  om  between  the  blocks  where  the  gravel  had  not  been  laid  on  ,t    but    he 
IcksLre  generally  uninjured.    The  pavements  o     Madison,  .Kand^^^^^^^^^^^ 
other  streets  were  in  much  better  condition  than  was  expected.     They  were   UaUiy 
Ccrrd  in  many  places,  and  sometimes  twisted  and  upheaved  but  can  be  ge. 
erally  repaired.    The  rails  of  the  street  cars  were  in  many  cases  badly  spmng,  but 
the  sills  are  uninjured. 

The  S.uth  side  road  will  have  its  track  all  repaired  in  a  day  or  two,  and  .t  v,-.n 
cake  the  West  Side  companies  but  ashort  time  to  relay  their's.  ^bere.s  considerable 
aeb,ns  in  many  ot  the  streets,  but  the  work  of  clearing  has  already  begun.  The  side 
ttlks,  wood  a'nd  stone,  have  gone,  the  large  limestone  blocks.  A  ong  the  South 
Brunch  Lind's  building  stands,  and  the  me,^n,g  Marl  has  its  office  here.  The  cod 
yards  south  to  Madi«on  street  are  still  burning,  and  will  do  so  desp.te  the  wate  ,  wi  h 
Ih  exception  of  the  one  at  Randolph  street  bridge.  The  LaSalle  street  tunnel  .sm 
perfect  o'der  but  on  account  of  the  of  the  darkness  there,  and  the  fear  of  accident*, 
Totiriages  were  allowed  to  go  through.  There  are  no  records  in  there  at  present, 
and,  if  any  were  stored  there,  they  have  been  destroyed. 

The  real  headquarters  of  the  order-preserving  force  of  the  city  is  now  at  No.  o69 

Wablsh  avenue,  wire  General  Phil  Sheridan  has  e-^>' ^ 'd''f  t  crr^L 
house  formerly  occupied  by  the  Phoenix  Club.    Here  the  head  of  the  c.ty  has  planted 
a  pine  table  and  entertained  his  numerous  visitors. 

The  force  at  the  General's  command,  in  addition  to  the  city  regalar  and  spe«d 
police  consists  of  seven  companies  of  regulars  and  six  of  volunteers.  The  fo  mer 
f.  11  and  other-  western  points,  and  are  all  camped  ^^^^T^^^ 
Ball  Park  on  Michigan  avenue.  To  them,  as  the  most  trustworthy  and  vigilant  for^ 
Tt  Lu  ha  been  entrusted  the  care  of  the  South  Side  ^-',^^'«^^'^;; j;^;,^';f,^:: 
Harrison  street  t.  the  main  river,  in  this  space  is  at  present  ^^^-"^ ;;;7;^ 
fAhe  City  yet  in  safes,  and  in  most  cases  buried  in  the  ^^ ^^^^  ^^Z 
pow  known  t.  be  in  the  city  and  the  P-^^  ;;"^^^^  ^  "  '^Lt  one  possidle. 

r  :r:r i::  r:::::: ;~  .j.. ...  and  it  wi. 

be  wonderful  indeed  if  the  ruffianly  element  shall  triumph.  ^ 

looking  men  as  one  could  see.    They  were  irou"  «•" 


11 


|.«. 


tood  very  well,  and 

re  still  standing. 
B  been  very  curious, 
obble  stones  split  in 
i  not  inju'-ed  at  all. 
well,  except  in  one 
eaten  out.    The  tar 
1  laid  on  it,  but  the 
,  ^Randolph  and  the 
They  were  badly 
red,  but  can  be  gen- 
badly  sprung,  but 

,y  or  two,  and  it  will 
Ehere  is  considerable 
y  begun.  The  side- 
s.  Along  the  South 
ice  there.  The  coal 
espite  the  water,  with 
le  street  tunnel  is  in 
Lhe  fear  of  a'-cidents, 
s  in  there  at  present, 

city  is  now  at  No.  569 
s  headquarters,  in  the 
f  the  city  has  planted 

y  regalar  and  special 
unteers.  The  former 
1  upon  the  site  of  the 
trthy  and  vigilant  force 
listricl,  reaching  from 
e  wealth  and  treasure 
The  number  of  thieves 
ill  make  the  safes  their 
prudent  one  possidle. 
jsible  kind,  and  it  will 

mpaign  in  Illinois,  and 
Tuesday  morning  under 
itioned  in  different  parts 
Two  companies  were 
street,  and  were  as  fine 
Industrial  University  at 


GREAT    FIRE    IN    CHICAGO. 


3-3 


-Ohampaisn,  and  a  lieavfier,  healthier,  more  intelligent  set  of  men  wouM  b"  hard  to 

find. 

One  other  company  of  militia  was  stationed  at  the  corner  of  Canal  and  Wilson 
streeis,  for  tlio  i.roteclion  of  the  tlioroiighly  atfiishted  residents  of  that  portion  of  the 

city. 

Another  comiiany  was  placod  at  Ilalstead  street,  with  headquarters  at  the  railroad 

Station,  on  Twelfth  street. 

The  North  side  did  not  need  much  miliUry  protection  in  its  dilapidated  condition , 
and  was  abuiidimly  guarded  by  two  militia  companies  stationed  at  Lincoln  Park. 

A  pan  of  ttie  Oliaitipaisii  company  was  also  at  the  corner  of  Rauriolpli  and  Eliza- 
beth streets. 

Geiiaral  Sheridan  seemed  satisfif-d  that  the  city  was  pRrfectly  safe  under  the  pro- 
tection already  at  hand;  but,  in  order  to  assure  tliLs,  more  trooi)s  will  arrive  shortly. 
Three  a.l  lilion  il  companies  of  reo;iil-ir8  were  exiiected  last  night,  and  ten  conipanien 
more  will  arrive  to-day,  making  a  forco  large  enough  to  k^ep  in  or.ler  all  the  roughs 
iu  the  Utiited  Stales. 

\Ve!).ve.U)Av,  ami  the  smoke  commenced  to  clear  away  ;  men  were  braver,  truer 
to  themsolves,  more  collected,  more  enorgeiic.  The  Corn  li.Kchange  meiL>l)ers  ha<l  se- 
'  cured  a  large,  d.irk-looking  hall  at  '.1  Canal  street,  and  there  tlw  (|nestion  was  mooted 
as  to  thj  b;v  o  )iir:tH  to  be  pursued  with  regard  to  business  on  hand— whether  to  re- 
pudiate or  declare  all  transact)ions  "  off."  or  to  await  the  settlement  of  insurances  and 
op.ining  of  banks.  Men  were  certainly  downhearted,  and  yet  they  spoke  brave  words 
— ini  tliey  m?ant  wh  it  Ihsy  aaid  ;  "  Chicago  rauit  rise,"  "  Chicago  is  our  city,"  and 
thay  were  jus'Jy  proud  in  being  able  to  feel  that  the  world's  sympathy  was  with  them 
iu  this  awful  hour  of  doubt  and  atlliction. 

LiUlv!  p-inting  o(flj3i;were  commsncing  to  distribute,  and  these  little  ones  now  had 
the  upper  hand  ;    neglected   workers   who  had  feared   the  sherilf  and  dodged   the 
baliff,  put  ou    tueir  best  clothes,  and  in  some  cases  sold  out  for  satisfactory  prices 
to  those  daily  publishers  who  were  short  ot  sorts,  or  perhaps  "  son  of  short."     The 
Font  came  out— the  Tribune  came  out— the  Jmrml  came  ou!r-the  liepublimn  came 
cut,  but  save  and  except  the  Tribune  and  perhaps  the  Journal,  it  was  a  weakly 
"comd."     No  mende.ierve  more  credit  thau  the  journalistic  refugees  of  Canal  and 
adjacei:-.  streets;  they  slept  in  old  wagons  one  night,  an  i  had  rented  oftices  and  se- 
cured a  few  hard  looking  "cases,"  and  set  to  work  ;    verily  they  were  obliged  to 
work  in  order  to  set,  for  matters  generally  were  in  a  demoralized  condition.    Boys 
took  advantage  of  limited  issues  of  the  paper  and  charged  25  cents,  60  cents  and  even 
$1.00  per  copy  for  the  Triune  and  other  papers  ;  the  proprietors  grumbled,  but  the 
boys— for  these   city  Arabs  were   now  the    pompous    and  wealthy  classes— main- 
tained their  prices  and  formed  a  ring,  so  that  no  youth  dare  dispose  of  his  newspa- 
pers at  an  unfair  figure— or  ratner  at  a  fair,  hoVieat  figure. 

The  following,  from  the  Governor  of  Michigan,  was  read  with  much  pleasure  by 
the  community  at  large  : — 

"  The  City  of  Chicago,  in  the  neighboring  State  of  Illinois,  has  been  visited  in  the 
provideiip^e  of  Almi^htv  God  with  a  calamity  almost  unequalled  in  the  annals  of  his- 
tory A  lar^e  portion  "of  that  beautiful  and  most  prosperous  city  has  been  reduced  to 
ashes  and  is  "now  iu  ruins.    Many  millions  of  dollars  in  property,  the  accumulation  ot 

3 


36 


HISTORY    OF    THE 


vpars  of  iiidu.Miv  ami  toil,  liavo  boon  swept  away,  almost  in  a  monipnt.  Tlio  rich  have 
ixM-n  itiliuvd  i<i'i«'imrv.  ihi>  I""""  li»^*'  ''"*''  ''"'  'i^''*'  ''"'y  powswHcd,  ami  many  ihou- 
sandH  of  i)eo])l('  ri'ii<lere(l  homeless  and  liouseless,  and  are  now  ■wilhout  the  ahsuliile 
uen-HMaries  of  life.  1,  iherelore,  earnestly  call  ii|)on  the  oili/ens  of  every  portion  of 
Michi<'an  to  take  immediHte  measures  for  alleviatinn  the  pressini;  wants  of  that  fear- 
fuUv  atliicteil  citv  tiv  colleitini;  anil  lorwardin«  to  tlie  i\Ji.\or,  or  proper  authorities  of 
Uhicaeo  supjilies  of  food  as  well  as  liheral  collections  of  money.  Lei  this  sore 
ealamilv  of  our  neiiihliors  remind  us  of  tlie  uncerliiinty  of  oarllily  pos.sessious,  and 
that  wh'en  one  member  suRers  all  (he  nicmbers  should  sutler  with  it.  1  cannot  dimbt 
that  the  wliole  people  of  the  Slate  will  mo.st,  fjladlv,  most  promptly,  and  most, 
Hlierally  respond  to  this  uraenl  demand  upon  their  »ynvpathy,  but  no  words  of  mine 
can  plead  so  sironalv  as  the  calamity  itselt. 

*  •  HENRY  P.  BALDWIN, 

Governor  ol  Michigan, 

The  Secretary  of  War  telpgraphe<l :—  „     ^ 

War  Pepartment, 
Washington,  D.  f;  October  11,  1871. 
To  Lieutenant  Oeneral  Bheridati,  Chicago,  ill.  „,,„,, 

I  a"ree  with  you,  that  the  tire  is  a  National  calaimty.  The  sullerers  have  the 
•incere  sympathv  ilf  the  miti(ui.  Officers  nt  the  Dejiots  at  St.  Louis  and  .Joftersonville, 
■Aia  elsewhere,  have  been  ordered  lo  forward  sufiplies  liberally  and  promptly. 

WILLIAM  W.  BELKNAP, 

Secretary  of  War. 

To  add  to  tills,  Robert  Bonner,  of  the  Z«rf/yer,  telegraphed  to  Mr.  J,  Walsh  of  the 
American  News  Company,  that  he  could  draw  tipc.i  him  for  $10,000  to  be  used  in 
relieving  members  of  the  press— whilst  the  manly  tone  of  the  press  sustained  and 
fortified  many  through  the  dark  shadows  of  the  hour. 

Then  news  arrived  from  London,  (Ihigland,)  that  in  respon.se  to  the  call  of  the 
American  Minister  for  a  meeting  to  express  sympathy  and  provide  relief  for  the  peoi)le 
of  Chicago,  over  400  American  and  English  gentlemen  assembled  at  the  Lenghain 
Hotel.  One  >■>(  the  speakers  tlrew  a  parallel  between  the  conflagration  of 
Chicago  and  tlie  great  lire  in  London.  Great  enthusiasm  was  evident  from  th;-  oiiening, 
and  the  meeting  needed  no  stimulus.  Everybody  was  eager  to  contribute,  and  within 
a  short  time  from  the  opening  of  the  list  £1000  was  subscribed  vii)a  voce.  Conspicuous 
among  the  subscribers  were  several  Confederates,who  retjuosted  that  their  names  should 
not  appear.  A  few  merchants  of  Chicago,  who,so  establishments  were  destroye.l  by 
lire,  also  oftored  their  contributions  amid  the  cheers  of  the  assemblage.  Resolutions 
expressing  the  deepest  sympathy  for  the  sullereiii,  and  pledging  furthcu-  aid,  ware 
adopted  by  acclamation.  A  committee  was  appointed,  with  J.  8.  Morgan  and  Gen. 
Schenck  at  the  head,  to  produce  additional  subscriptions  in  London  and  throughout 
the  kingdt)m,  and  there  was  every  reason  to  expect  that  a  largo  sutu  would  be  raised. 
Expressions  of  sympathy  were  received  by  telegraph  and  by  mail  from  all  parts  of  the 
ooimtry,  and  read  by  the  chairman.  Among  those  present  were  Hon.  A.  Curtin,  Mic- 
ister  to  Russia,  General  A.  E.  Buruside,  General  .J.  Q.  Barnard,  lion.  Hugh  McCidlough, 
Messrs.  Morgan  and  WoodhuU,  of  the  American  Legation,  Adam  Badeau,  Consul  Gen- 
eral at  London,  Wm.  E.  Dodge,  of  New  York,  John  I.  Cisco,  of  New  York,  Messrs. 
Munn,  Storring,  Habicht,  of  Clews,  Habicht  &  Co.,  Bowles,  Randolph  Clay,  George 
Wilkes,  Bcjughton,  the  artist,  John  Healy,  and  Thaddeits  Hyatt.  Many  eminent  Eng- 
lishmen also  attended  the  meeting  and  manifested  their  interest  in  its  objects  liberally 
by  word  and  deed.  8u(;h  charity  kindly  expressed  nerved  tlie  sufferers— who  had 
BOW  not  only  to  think  for  themselves  but  also  for   the  poor— and  as  the  news  of  sub- 


GREAT    FIRR    IN    CHICAGO. 


t.  Tlio  rich  have 
,  and  many  ihou- 
hout  the  ah.siihlle 
r  evt-ry  portion  of 
anis  of  that  lear- 
ipcr  anlhoiilie.s  of 
y.  Lta  this  sore 
pos.seNsidus,  and 
.  I  cannot  doubt 
inptly,  and  inoHt 
no  words  of  mine 

lALDWIN, 

ir  ol  Michigan. 

Department, 
•tobcr  11,  1871. 

sufterprs  have  the 
and  Jeflersonville, 
roniptly. 

;elknap, 

i;retary  of  War. 
r.  J,  Walsli  of  the 
IJ()0  to  be  used  in 
ess  sustained  and 

to  the  call  of  the 
lief  for  the  peo])le 
at  the  Lentsham 
courtagration  of 
from  th;-  opening, 
ribute,  and  within 
•oce.  Conspicuous 
heir  names  should 
ei'e  destroyed  by 
age.  Resolutions 
furtluu-  aid,  ware 
Morgan  and  Gen. 
>n  and  throughout 
would  be  raised, 
im  all  parts  of  the 
n.  A.  Curtin,  Mic- 
lugh  McCullough, 
;leau,  Consid  Qen- 
3W  York,  Messrs. 
olph  Clay.  George 
any  eminent  Eng- 
ts  objects  liberally 
afTerers — who  had 
8  the  news  of  sub- 


Mripiioas — announced  abovt; — was  received,  jiroutl  men  \ve|ii,  arid  nianlj  lieail*-- 
yeRrnod  to  pmve  that  a  world's  syuiiiathy  wns  appreciated.  Men  sold  it  was  Christ- 
Mko.  Let  us  lioi>e  it  will  b(>ar  fruits  and  make  !>  more  tha;i  la'iiing  impression  on  tlieni. 
in  the  future. 

We  shall  pass  over  tlie  frightful  scenes  fibsorvable  in  /isiiing  ilie  niorpue,  where- 
OTer  eishty  unfortunate  and  almost  unrecogni/alile  bodies  were  Inid  f)nt;  some  iiad 
be<;n  .suflbcated,  trampled  to  death;  a  few  !  id  fallen,  others  licrn  tnlten  fruni  r\iin>,  but 
hundreds  more  must  still  remain  in  the  ruiiii. 

TnnRsnAV  pawnko  and  now  that  telegrams  were  received  and  niessrngeis 
arrived  it  became  known  that  a  m.i.jority  of  the  insurance  companies  wei-e  anxiour.  to 
»ettle  all  claims  in  full;  such  announcements  as  the  following  creating  intense  e.vcite- 
ment,  as  thousands  hail  anticipnted  advantage  being  taken,  and  an  apportionment  («f 
10  or  1.')  per  cent  being  declared:  — 

The  Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe  Insurance  Co's.  telegraphed  their  agents : — 

Nrw  York.  0<t  lli.  1871. 
"Chicago  losses  probably  under  two  and  a  half  millions.     The  Directors  in  New 
York  are  authorized  to  draw  on  London,    Charge  higher  rales.' 

Ai.KBKD  Pf.1,1,,  Manager. 
The  Hanover  Fire  Insurance  Company  telegraphed  : — 

New  York,  Oct.  12,  I87I. 
"  In  view  of  the  intense  feeling  existing  relative  to  the  sl.imling  of  Fire  Insur- 
ance Companies,  we  take  pleasure  in  saying  to  our  friends  and  the  public,  that  we 
have  telegraphed  to  our  agents  to  diaw  at  sight  m  soltlenient  of  all  losses  by  the 
ChiMgo  tire  as  fast  as  they  are  adjusted.  After  the  payment  of  which  we  shall  have 
our  Capital  intact  and  a  surplus  of  over  $125,000,  leaving  our  Cash  Assets  ovtjr  $525  - 
000. 

B.  S.  Wai.c:oit,  Pre.'^ident. 
I.  Rkmsen  Laxe,  Secretary. 

The  New  York  managers  of  the  North  British  and  Mercantile  Insurance  Com- 
pany received  the  following  kindly  and  generous  cable  telegram  from  Mr.  .1.  W.  Cater. 
Chairman  of  the  London  Board  : — 

"  Subscribe  $5,000  for  the  Chicago  suflerers.  Settle  all  losses  promptly.  Draw, 
at  three  days  sight." 

"  The  assets  of  this  company  in  the  United  SUtes,  amounting  to  over  $1, .'300,000, 
will  not  be  touched  in  the  payment  of  losses  in  Chicago."  * 

Wm.  Con.xkr, 
Chas.  E.  WniTR,    >  Associate  Managers. 


Wm.  Con.xkr,         1 

Chas.  E.  WniTR,    >  Associate  Mam 

Wm.  p.  Blagdknt.J 


The  managers  of  the  Niagara  Fire  Insurance  Company  issued  the  following : — 

Nbw  York,  Oct.  10,  1871. 

"  The  los.ses  of  this  company  by  the  recent  fires  in  Chicago  cannot  exceed  a  quarter 
of  a  million  ef  dollars,  which  will  be  promptly  paid  as  the  various  claims  shall  be  ad- 
justed. 

This  Company  will  have  remainuig  more  than  a  million  of  dollars  of  good  assets, 
38  a  guarantee  to  its  policy  holders." 

H.  A.  HowK,  President. 
P.  NoTMAN,  Vice  President  and  Secretary,  , 

The  Jefferson  Insurance  Company,  (New  York) : — 

Trihity  BuiLDisn,  No.  Ill  Broadway, 

New  York,  Oct.  10,  1871. 
To  the  public:    This  Company  having  no  out-of-town  Agent,^,  and  doing  busine,s.<i 
only  at  this  Office,  is  not  materially  affected  by  the  great  fire  in  Chicago,  the  entire 
aujoujit  at  risk  there  being  only  $47,500." 

Samdel  £.  BfiLCHBB.  PresldeuU 


IIISTORV    OF    THE 


Tl.e  loUuwing  wa.  i.vsuo.l  by  the  Ande.  Insurance  l'ompan>-^^^  ^^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^.^ 

"  To  ilip  AiKk's  liismaiice  (Jo.;  _ 

An.lp  <  losse.  « ill  nol  exceed  $^00,000.  j.  ^  ^^^^    ^^^^^^ 

'•  The  Andes  i,  s.-lvout  and  ve,  y  simnR.   and  Las  already  commenced  payiug  the 
Chicago  lo^^i3.''  J    jj    jjexnett,  President. 

The   'Comiiieiclar'  aj!ft:icy  anuonuoed  ; 
"The  Coniiiany  li  io  only  ^o.OOU  al  nh 


iij  'JLicai:".'' 
M.  V. 


1!.    I'UWLKK 


President. 


'^^^t':!S^^'ui'=:;:>i^'i'S^ie"ru^^  by   U.  .lisa.Uous,flre  i. 

<;hica^;:  U  Lve  no  a.ency  there,  and  but  one  r.U  o';)- ^'-^^^'il-iaent. 

;;.S.  nu-e  t,un  our  n..  reserve,  le.vin,  our  capaal  ^'^l^^^^^^'^,,^^,^. 

The  foUow-.n^  a,sp,vlch  was  received  from  the  0(11:=  of  the  Amencan  Cnitral  Fire  la- 
su;ance  ComiHiny  of  Si.  L  .ui^  Mo.:  ^^    ^^^^^^^  ^^^^^  ^^^^^^^^,  ^^^  ^g^j_ 

..  M.>ssr.<  Wm.  II.  Cheppu  &  C...  Manai-^s  of  the  New  York  Branch   America. 

10  bu.i„.'>s.  twenty  per  cent  call  made.  ^^^  ^  ^^^^^  SecreUry. 

».         .1       i<'  „,  r.f  (I  .vif  ud    liruelv  interested,  the  followins;  arrived  : 
^'■r.t  :^    an/f  on  •1^l)  r^^^^  A-'.nt  of  this  Company  at  Buffalo  say, 

the  .liil'i^rmrnv  ;.avs  all  looses  pvomotly  at  Chicago  and  elsewhere,  and  contmue. 
all  branches  of  buiiness  at  all  points^as  IJ^^'^J^-;^,^^^   ^„^^,  ,,^,^^,  Department. 

The  annexed  telegram  wa.s  f,om  the  underwriter.'  age^,cy  :  ^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^ 
'^^^i'lf:^^^:;^  ;S  Sr!irSv^^i^^.ara  and  I^epublic  I^ura^eCo.- 

The  Paclflo  Company,  of  San  Francisc,  telegraphed  their  agent  that  the  lo,s«. 
■«ould  be  fully  «l,Oa;),0;)0,  and  tlu-y  had  levied  an  a.Sbessraent  of  seventy-ttve  per  cent, 
vhich  would  meet  all  demands  and  leave  a  surphxs. 

The  Agents  of  various  companies  is.sued  a  noticethatthefollowmgCompan.es 
topresentedbythemcan  pay  all  losses  susUined  by  the  lat«  fives  in  Chicago,  afl*r 
which  their  respective  capitals  will  remain  ummpaned  : 

"D.troit  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company  ;  City  Fire  Insurance  Compa.y, 
Uartford ,  Pacitic  Insurance  Company,  San  Francisco.  ^^^^^^^  ^  Belanobr. 

'''•  fitaf  ad^Lnr^'iltlheCses^K^  Fi.e  Inuranco  Company,  of 

New  ^""o*    win  noT  cS^me  the  surplus.     The  Merchant.  J^«3"-°<;;  Company,  of 
Providence,  had  uo  Agency  in  Chicago-losses  by  '^Tt!  ir&^o.,  Ag^U. 


ir  11,  1S71. 


fAN,  Agent. 
«d  payiug  the 

',  President. 


;,  President. 

astrous  fire  in 
dollars." 
s,  President. 

nsequeut  upo« 

company,  that, 

rill  not  absorb 

lO. 

li,  President. 

( ntral  Fire  la- 
bor 12,  1871. 
anch   Anaericaa 

)nl  interruptiom 
(VM,  Secretary. 

It  Buffalo,  says 
B,  and  continuet 

e  Department. 

obar  10,  1871. 

Insurance  Corn- 
is  day,  due  pre- 
I  inourred  at  the 

will  remain  nn- 
ig  the  gross  cash 
B  of  dollars, 
leneral  Agent, 
at  that  the  loss«» 
nty-flve  per  cent, 

owing  Companies 
in  Chicago,  after 

urance  Company, 

B  &  Belanobr. 

ince  Company,  of 
,nce  Company,  of 
0  only." 
&  Co.,  AgesU. 


GREAT    FIRK    I\    CIIICAGO. 


liO- 


The  People's  Fire  Insurance  Conipnny,  of  Woiccstpr,  Mass  ,  ^aid  : 

"The  People's  Fire  InsurancB  Cinippny,  of  Worces-ter.  MasMirlmsrtis,  is  perfect- 
ly goWent,  and  all  their  losses  at  Cbicsgo  nnd  elsewhere  will  be  paid  pronijitly  on  de- 
mand." 

Ai'iJ.  N.  Cfidrn,  Secretary. 
The  Williamsburg  City  Fire  Insurance  Company  : 

'October  II,  1S71. 
At  a  meetint;  of  the  Committee  on  Clainis  nnd  Lo'-^es  conveiied  by  llie  I'reKideiit, 
a  resolution  was  passed  unanimously  authorisiiii;  him  to  lelciiuiph  to  Chicajjo  that  all 
losses  sustained  by  the  Conipnny.  as  soon  (is  adjusted,  would  be  settled  by  sight  drafts 
without  deducting  the  sixty  days'  interest." 

Edmitnd  Diuooh,  President. 
Tho  Firemen's  Fund  Company  : 

"  This  Comiiany  has  no  Agencies;  will  siid'er  loss  in  ("liicago  to  the  extent  of 
two-thirds  of  its  surplus,  leavinu;  cai)ilal  uriliaiiiied.  The  President  is  now  in  ('liica<.'i> 
prepared  to  give  sight  drafts  for  all  los'^es  as  soon  as  adjiuted.' 

Jamiis  D.  f  PAnKMAx,  President. 
The  Lamar  Insurance  Company,  of  New  Voik,  said  : 

'■The  Agents  of  the  Company  at  Chicago  telegraplied  that  the  losses  by  the  late 
Ire,  after  a  careful  examination,  will  be  less  tlian  S'Jil).IK)l),  thus  leaving  the  capital 
whole,  with  a  handsome  surplus,  and  the  Company  are  ])repared  to  pay  on  demand  all 
losses  as  soon  as  adjusted.'' 

W,  R.  MAfntARMtD,  Secretary. 

The  Corn  Exchanire  Insurance  Company  (N.  Y,)  nniM)unced  : 

"  In  reply  to  the  numerous  iii(|uiiie.s  as  to  our  losses  by   the  Chicago  lire,  and  to 
.refute  the  many  false  rumors  in  regard  to  ilie  staiiding  of  this  Comiiany.  we  have  to 
itate  that  we  have  taken   no  risks  in  tliat  cily  since  December.  187t»,  and  the  whole 
amount  of  the  unexpired  risks  within  the  burnt  district  is  but  sixt,y-one  thousand  dol- 
lars, all  of  which  is  re-instired." 

E.  .1.  LownicR,  President. 
The  U.  S.  Branch  of  luiperinl  Fire  Insnrame  romi)any  announced  : 
"  Our  net  losses  will  not  exceed  Slllo  (KM),  by  rlie  CliicHgo  (ire." 

\'i.  \y.  Crowulf,,  Rei-ident  Manager. 
The  ^Etna,  Har*ford  and  Plurnix  were  largely  interested,  and  the  am  ounct  inert 
that  they  would  pay  their  losses  in   full,   gave  wide  satisfaction.     Further  telegri'ms. 
were  as  follows :  — 

Hartford,  Conn.,  October  13. — The  following  circular  was  issueil: 

Office  of  thk  Co.n.nkcticct  Firk  Insurance  Company,  >• 
IIartkoru,  Conn.,  October  13,  lb7l.      V 
Definite  information  just  receiveil   from   Chicago,   places  our  los.ses  at  so  ni{>h  » 
tgure  that  we  are  obUged   to  su.spend   business   until   the   question  of  reorganization 
shall  be  settled.        (Signed)  ^  John  B.  ELnRunoE,  President. 

Boston,  October  1.3. — It  is  announced  that  a  enarantee  fund  has  l>een  raised  bj 
the  directors  of  the  New  England  Fire  Insurance  Company,  and  it  will  continue  bust. 
■e«M. 

LoNDOH,  October  IS. — The  los.ses   of   the   Liverpool  Insurance  Companies  by  tho 
Chicago  fire  are  estimated  at  £420,000. 

The  following  notice  to  the  policy-holders  and  stockholders  of  the  Commerce  In- 

tmnnce  Company,  of  Albany,  has  been  issued : 

I  have  just  received  (midnight,  October  18)  telegrpjihic  advices  from  our  General 
Agent,  who  is  in  Chicago,  which  convinces  me  that  our  loss  will  not  exceed  8!450,('*(Kt, 
and  probably  will  be  adjusted  for  less.  As  our  8.ssets  amount  to  over  {>650,(i00,  ther« 
remains  820t),000,  if  not  more,  to  protect  outstanding  policies. 

(Signed)  Q.  A.  Van  Allkn,  Vice  President. 

The  banks  issued  cards  stating  tlieir  being  prepared  to  ppy  15  per  cent  on  all  de- 
posits  in  a  few  days,  and  promising  prompt  arrangement  of  claims  and  liabilities — 


SSSitSSrai'ia^^^artteWsS*; » 


40 


HISTORY    OF    THR 


..uc.bank.sLalin«lluiilwouId-.,my  .loUar  for  dollar  after  the  lap.e  of  a  few  week.. 
Then  caM.e  u  ^uu-.n.-ni  ..f  li.e  position  of  all  insurai-c  co.npai.ies-Mc.nt  privately  t. 
leading  n.en.  l.nt  now  pul.lisl>«d,in  f„ll-it  will  U.ero  U,  seen  that  nmny  fompan.es 
doin.'  a  lar.re  Imsine.s,  bv  rea.o..  of  lacking  judoment,  were  straw  corporations,  and  .^. 
is  lo'be  hoped  that  when  the  Nalional,Conventiou  of  Innurance  Con.punies  Ukes  place, 
.trinsont  Stat*  action  will  l.e^dvised,  to  prohibit  the  reckless  and  carele«s  comiact  of 
insurance  liUfiiness. 
Jfew   York  ComjntufK. 


Name. 

^tna,  Oily 

Adriatic,  Oily 

Aarlculuiral,  Wuleriowii 

Albany,  Albany 

Albany  City,  Albany 

Anicriran,  1'.,  City 

Amrriean  Kxuliiinjjt',  t'ily 

Arcl ie,    »;ily 

Aslor,  City 

Atlantic,  City 

Hiekmuii,  I'ity 

lirewum'  and  Mal.»turrt',  City 

Uroadway,  Oity 

Itroiiklyn,  I..  1.,  Oily 

liiittalo  City,  Bullulu 

Huirali)  Kliv  and  Mm  iiif 

Burt'ulo  (ioj-nian,  Biitl'alo 

-Capital  Ollj,  Albany 

■i'UuoUB"  1'.,  City 

City,  Oily 

■Clinton,  City 

t'uluiabia,  I  iiy 

■Coiuinerce,  Albatiy ■ 

.  -Uoinmcrcf  Fire,  I'ity 

*  !oinmervial.  Oily 

«Jontimnital,  1*.,  City 

<,'orn    fixcUange,  City 

Kagle,  City 

tEmplre  City,  Oily 

.iixcelBior,  Oily 

.{exchange.  Oily 

>fiirinerB'  Joint  Slock,  Meridan...  .a. 
VUeineu'K,  City 

i''iri'iuen'«  Fund,  City 

Firainen'*  Trust 

Fulton,  City  (nuspended) 

"tiebbard,  Cliy 

■Cternianla,  City 

•Olenit  Falls,  Glens  Falls 

Kilobe,  City 

ilireenwicli.  City 

■<}UBrdian,  Oily 

Hamilton,  City 

Hanover,  P.,  City 

Hoffman,  City 

HolUud,  Purchase,  Biila\  ia 

Homu,  Oily 

Pope,  City 

lioward.  P.,  City 

Humboldt,  City 

J  raport«rs'  and  Traders',  City 

International,  City 

Irving,  City 

Jcflbrson,  City 

Kings  County,  City..   

Knickerbockui',  Oily 

Ijifayctte,  L.  1.,  City 

Lamar,  City 

Lenox,   City 

Long  liilanJ,  P.,  City 

Lnrillard,  P.,  City 

Uauhaltan,  City, 
atari  ai: 

Market,  P.,  C% 

Mevbunicg'  L.  I.,  City. 


Capital. 
\    ^0O,(WU 

•  '.;Ol),lHil) 
10(1,001) 

1511,00(1 

:;oi),iKio 

'JOO.Oiill 

•iflJ.oiio 

25  1,000 
•JJO.OOO 

U)ti,(Ki;i 

iOO,0O0 

i:oo,ooo 
i:.Ki,ooo 
i5a,oo() 
200,o;;o 

y;)4,222 
2'K),li00 
20o,D00 
,TOO,0,iO 
210,000 
"50,01  lO 

aoti,ooo 

400,0110 

2:ki,ooo 

200,000 
o  JO.OO 

;iOO,ooo 
aoo,ooo 
200,000 

2'H),000 
100,000 
lOO.OOO 
204.000 
160,000 
160,i;00 
200,01)0 
200,000 
."iOO.OOO 
200,000 
200,000 

•  200,000 
200,000 
160,1 00 
400,0J0 
20(,',(H10 
100,0(10 

2,500,000 
150,000 
600,000 
200,000 
200,000 
500,000 
200,0^0 
200,010 
150,000 
280,0(1 1 
15U,0UJ 

3oo,0(n! 

150,  00 

20u,0i/u 
1,800,0110 
6tO,COO 
200,0,,.. 
200,000 
160,C0 1 


UroRB  AmpIs 
Jan.  1,  1871. 
I  442,7011 
240,120 
660,84S 
204,073 
;il)7,«4ti 
741,405 
274,360 
200,433 
4  15,671 
850,179 
201,351 
220,(i(KI 
370,004 
304,444 
370.034 
473,677 
270,0«1 
203.700 
«84,70S 
468,009 
302,704 
451,332 
002,377 
249,372 
300,1102 
2,638,038 
398,930 
606,440 
286,409 
;'.35,724 
183,959 
19$,«73 
360,981 
173,377 
226,369 
383,002 
260,892 
1.077,849 
571,123 
315,738 
429,872 
279,688 
260,135 
700  336 
236,242 
171,496 
4,578,008 
214,241 
783,861 
261,18ti 
302,589 
1,329.476 
322,746 
411,155 
262,673 
394,079 
214,757 
651,402 
240,801 
384,932 
1,716,909 
l,407,7;i8 
200,4l'9 
704,684 
218,047 


$260,000 
6,000 


Suspended 

26,(K)0 

16,000 

Nothing 


250,()(A) 

Suspended 

Nothing 

Nothing 

Nothing 


8,00J 


26,000 

Nothing 

2,000 

3.IXW 

10,000 

16,(X)n 

5,000 

1,(K)0,000 

Nothing 

Nothing 

Nothing 

Suspended 


Nothing 
15,000 


6,000 

Ad'ts  700,n00 

Nothing 

26fl,0()(J 

10,000 

Nothing 

Nothing 

40,000 

Nothing 

230,000 

10,000 


Over  2,0tX),0.'B 

Nothing 

275,000 

10,000 

22,500 

400,00 

Refuses  risks 

47,500 

33,000 

Nothing 

7,600 

200,000 

30,000 

Busncnded 

Nothing 

Suspended 

22,500 


S« 


$260,000 
6,000 


Bunpemlcd 

26,1100 

15,000 

Nothing 


260,0(4) 

BuKpundcd 

Nothing 

Nothing 

Nothing 


8,00J 


25,000 

Nothing 

■2,0OU 

8.000 

10,000 

16,000 
0,1100 
1,(XH),000 
Nothing 
Nothing 
Nothing 
Suapunded 


Nothing 
15,000 

'  5,600 

d'ts  700,iK)0 

Nothing 

260,000 

10,000 

Nothing 

Nothing 

40,00*) 

Nothing 

230,000 

10,00tl 


tet  2,0tX;,0' 8 

Nothing 

275,000 

10,000 

22,500 

400,0.  K) 

itefuraij  ri«k8 

47,500 

3a,000 

Nothing 

7,500 

200,000 

30,000 


GRKAT    FIKE    IN    CHICAGO. 


41 


Nauip.  Oapllwi. 

Mcchiiniis'  undTradorn'  City f200,(«i<i 

Meroanlili',  City 20(M>00 

Wwclmnti.,  Oitv 2(iO,WK) 

Metropolitan,  i'My 3110,000 

.Mont»ul{,  1,.  I.,  VMy 16(>,0<H) 

NaH»«u,  I..  1.,  City. 2nO,(KXI 

Nationai,  City..... a"<M>"0 

NfW  Am«t.*(l8m,  1'.,  City .'WKMTO 

N.  Y.  Bowery,  City WK),Oim 

N.  Y.  Com ral,  Union  SpriniiB 100,000 

N«w  Yorl«  E(iuitabii' 210,000 

New  Yorlc   Kiro 20(),0(K) 

Niagara,  Oity 1,<00,0<X) 

Nortli  American,  City .MKi.dOO 

North  Uiycr DAiylOO 

JVllle,  fily 2(W,II0() 

I'arli,  City "OO.OO"' 

I'eoplun,  t'itv 150,000 

P«ter  Cooper,  Citv 150,000 

I'h.enix,  T,.  1,  C:ity l,lH)0,oiO 

Ueh.'f,  Citv 200,000 

Itepubllc,  t'itv :i00,n0O 

J{p8oliite,  Clt'y 2110.000 

RutgiMK,  City 200,000 

HohoncctaHy;  Hclienectady 1(X),1I00 

Hccurity,  C'ity 1, IIK),(KH) 

HIandard,  City 200,0il0 

Htar,  City 2IKI,IKI0 

PtcrlinK,  City 200,000 

Htuyyesant,  City 200,000 

St.  Niclinlas,  t.'lty I.'i0,000 

TradoKnien'H  City 150,000 

United  StateH,  City 2.M),000 

AVasliinn!lon,  l'.,Cilp 4IKVIO0 

\VaU-rto>vn,  Watert.iwn ]iH),00 1 

\Vcstche«ter,  New  Kcchello 200,{M)0 

AVcutern,  of  Buffalo 3  "0,000 

Williamaburg  City,  City 250,IKK) 

Yonkers  and  New  York,  City 600,000 

MMSachmetis  Companies. 

American,  Boston $    300,000 

Bay  Btatc,  Worcester 104,800 

Beverly,  Beverly 30,(K)0 

Uoston,  Boston 300,(KK) 

Boylston,  Boston 309,000 

City,  Boston 200,000 

Kliot,  Boston 300,000 

Kquilahic,  I'rovlnstown 50,000 

J:xchange,  Bo»ton 100,000 

Firemen's,  Boston 300,0(K) 

First  Kstlonai,  'Vv  orcoster 1(X),000 

Franklin,  Boston 300,000 

(ilouoester,  Olouoester 100,000 

Hide  .nnd  Leather,  Boiiton 300,000 

Howard,  Boston ?00,000 

Independent,  Boston 300,000 

Lawrence,  Boston 260,0'!0 

Manufacturers',  Boston 400,ooo 

Mercantile,  Boiton 300,000 

Meroh  nt<i',  Boston 500,000 

Mutual  Benefit,  Hoston 200,000 

National  Boston 300,000 

Neptune,  Boston 300,000 

New  England  Mu'ual  M.,  Boston 2(X),000 

North  American,  Boston 200,000 

reoplc'e,  Worcester 400,000 

Prescott    Boston 200,1 00 

Salom,   Salera.... 100  000 

Shoe  and  Leather  Dealer',  Boston 20o',000 

Hprlngfleld,  Springfield 600,000 

Suffolk   Boston 160,000 

Trader's  and  Muchanics',  Lowell lOoJooO 

Tremont,  Boston 200,000 

Washington,  Boston,.. 30o|o00 

■'Ohio  Convpanies. 

AUlemannia,  Cleveland $    260,000 

American,  Cincinnati lUO.OOO 


Orosf  Assets 

Jan.  1,  1S71. 

414(10.1102 

273,300 

442,«»0 

3iI0,4:M 

264,405 

3lll,51S 

232,071 

432,1138 

5«2,83o 

201,804 

420,0fl;i 

302,273 
1,31)4,007 

770,305 

407,42*1 

443.257 

302,483 

231,070 

2«6,724 
1,890,0111 

310,013 

033,478 

252,452 

343,034 
03,737 
l,88|i,,-i33       Ail'ts 

.372,707 

300,441 

247,027 

303,040 

222,572 

423,181 
437,2.-|ft 

774.411 
171,7iVl 

485,314 

582.547 

630.USI2 

803,033 


t  344,481 

liM>,27d 
41,831 
678,740 
833,260 
309,427 
072,212 
42,129 
111,092 
1,033,330 
157,368 
641,90S 
118,751 
419,211 
35^,042 
640,018 
262,502 
1,430,464 
.594,299 
958,5.')9 
2.54,092 
821,840 
852,195 
l,a30,9:3 
601,747 
887,766 
462,600 
197.940 
649,806 
930,101 
283,288 
192,401 
294,543 
936,875 


$285,565 
125,613 


Losses. 

'  ioo,iV)o 

16.(K)0 
Nothing 
Nothing 

""leiwKJ 

40,(HKI 
Nothing 

Nothing 

16,IXW 

230,(KH1 

260,(K)0 

viim 

Nothing 
Nothing 

360,666 

10,000 

2l!5,(H)0 

80,000 

NoUiing 

Insolvent 

1,000.00<I 

Nothing 

Nothing 

7,600 

Nothing 

Nothing 

25,000 

Nothing 

400,000 

Nothing 

Nothing 

Nothini^ 

70.' KK) 

300,000 


Nothing 

'\ifm 

'766I066 

Suspended 

12,000 
350,000 


10,000 
'5661666 


700,000 
10,000 


$26,00* 


SSRtSgJi 


•»»■;**  -_-  -  ias*£iao'-d*-» 


.0t- 


42 


HlsJlOKV    OF  THE 

(IroM  AmcK, 
V„,„-  <;»PIU1.        .Ii.n.  1,  1S71. 

..'...     i.„>».i  il,(:(K),li(K)        »l,11)3,42a 

Aii.tcc,  «:"■'"' .  W)  (XK)               7fi>l 

Hut  Ur,   1 1  iimllion "• '""               rf-;'" 

( Vnlr.,,  Oolumlm, ■  •  JM^:^,              ^^ "» 

nnoln.mll,   Clmimmtl '  'MOO            .  V-J 

Kttiili',  Clnclnnntl.. '                   ah  mi 

B,.rek..,  ( lincinimti  :^-*^              «^-"''7 

KHimcr',   (Jinrihimtl ,  f^'^^\              -J-"-^ 

KariiuTH',  .lolloway '."i"'    «^            l^'-"^ 

Knriiu^r»'  unJ  MirclmntV,  1  ayi.m f^^OOO              .5,77 

Kurraern',  M.T.  «n,I  M't'.„  Hamilton W,m             If-M 

f'rki.rJK".Vi:: 1L3,      ^^^f«'i 

Kmnklln,  Colmnlnm >mM              8S,(.7l 

German,  Ck-vcland i'.^/^^]            -r/'?"" 

Oi'mian,  Dayton... --.«^'              -•'■^^ 

German,  Tol.-lo «- »                **.»<;. 

Globe,  Cincinnati l'"MHM             1, .1,14.1 

Hamilton,  IlamPton 1;,5^            „*W 

llibernla,  «.!lev„l«ml ^^,0^            2i5,  (Xl 

Home,  (Vlnmlme &  "-W             (Ja7,W7 

Home    Toldcdo 'W"               Jf>f^^ 

MiTchantH' and  Manufa.-turcis'  Cincinnati....  Ifin.lKH)            2«6.i» 

Miami  Vall.-y,  Cincinnati l<ifl."<               l*}."?* 

Miami  Valley,  Dayton jW.l                   'U-" 

Mutual,  Tolc-'o '; .  J'                 « .2W 

Natioi.al.  Cindnnal  1 l."-                  I|'-fil4 

Ohio,  Cl,illicoll.« f'-'W               40,"«2 

Ohio.  D,.ylon ., A^W              5.W1S 

<  )hio  ValU-y,  Cincinnati 50,  ,6.               79,  21 

PcoplcV,  Ckcinnali 25.l)(>0               43,a28 

Hun    Clcvelaud •il.'O.lHNt             odl.M!) 

Teiitoiiia.  Dnyum 2«,00^)              *«.5;:^ 

Tobacco,  Cincinnati WM^             1  3.3 1.5 

Toledo    Toledo 7.V<W            ll)5,fi.i7 

r«ionV>°cim,atl l^'JI^J            J?!.''?!? 

■Wasbiiigton,  Cincinnati 12B,1(W            ito'llA 

WesteriT,  Cincinnati 100,000            173,550 

ilitiouri  Cmnf<inie». 

American  Central,  Bt.  Louis |    231,.3"0 

Anchor,  St.  Louis 1"6,225 

Uoatmen's,  Ht.    Louis 100,oJO 

Chouteau.St.  Louis 19.319 

Citlicn's,  Pt.  Louis 175,(K)() 

Commercial.  St.  Ix)Uis 4U,«60 

Excelsior,  St.  Louis i3,0J7 

Franklin,  St.  Louis Ill0,9(hl 

German,  Bt  T^uis 65,5(10 

Globe  Mutual,  St.  Louis 125,000 

Home.  St.  .Toseph (i3,850 

.Jefferson,  St.  Louis 101,272 

l^fayWto,  Lexinstou *1'^ 

LumW.  men  *  Mechanics,  St.  Lonle 1HO,000 

Uarln«,8t.  Loul-< 15(),0«0 

Merchant's.  St.  .Toseph m,(AQ 

National,  Hannibal 111,201 

North  Missouri,  Macou lA05rt 

Pacific,  St.  Louis 26,IX)0 

Phooeoix,  St.  Louis 118,960 

St.  Jo9«ph,  Bt.  Joseph HOOO 

gt.Lour9,8t  Louis 249,000 

Btate,   Hannibal 109,000 

Hnion,  St.  Louis 100,000 

Wnit«d  States,  St.  Louis 170,000 


IU\ 


$254,875 
121,974 

61  78a 

21,808 
271,37a 

4;i,898 

19,816 
1-  9,701 

70,6715 
150,798 

66,061 
J21,84i 

56,439 
200,409 
21",»2.i 

79,682 
147,733 
164,168 

36,835 
126,664 
106,72i> 

307,342 
162,099 

107,67i> 

184,27» 


IiOMSSt 


n6,ooo- 


m 


26,000 


75,000 


1360,000 
27,000  ■ 
20,000 
25,000 


nn.OOO' 


w 


GREAT    FIRB    IN   CHICAGO. 


JUiiiOil 


a,o(X) 


76,000 


Nun  I'. 

i mirlcun.  ('liicago 

Aiirom,  Aurora • 

OlilcBKO  Klri',  ClilcBKO 

Clilcaao   KIriincnV,  Chicago 

Commfrclftl.  Cliioiigo 

K(|Ultal)le,  I'liiciiito 

Kiirmir'n,  Kroifpcrt 

Oerman,  FrLcporv 

Ourtnnn  lim-  iii"l  Sav'i.  Co..  (Julncy. 

Ovrman,  ChicnKO 

Orcat  Wi'Bteni,  Chicago 

Ilome,  Chicago 

IllliiolB  Mutual.  Alto-i 

Knlckcrliooker,  Clilnigo 

Merchant's,  Chicago 

Mutual  Hicuriiy,  Chicaito 

|ict)u1)llc.  Chicago 

Kockford,  Kockfonl 

WinuwUeik,  Ki-ecporl. 


Cttpim. 

1&I),00() 
aOll.lKX) 
1(11,80(1 

axi.ooo 

180,000 
liW.OOO 
1(10.00(1 
111,000 

K-i,m  I 
aio.oco 
2-.'2,:  31 
•.tlo.Oiiil 

iiii.noo 

KiO.UOIl 

fioo.otui 

1 18,!12.-> 
99S,'2'  (I 
IdO.COO 
KHl.OOfl 


(ffooa  Ai«f(cta 

J  in.  1.  IS71. 

|.')48,87ft 

■-'■JO,471 

i:il,,SOil 

a"a,M4 
i;«fl,6;t'> 
lai.iui 
I'.n.WKi 

I11I.H'24 
l.W.O.M 
»7,8-.'l 
■274.Vjri 
2t6,33H 

sr.n.oiii 

IKIi,!'.".* 
S78,'J.U 
14,'),.')34 
I,l:i2.8r2 
2;!5,442 
143,Ti2 


f.naaea. 


Tbese   companies  cannot  fiivnish  Hgures- 
maiiy  guspensions  will  follow. 

Pennitylvanin, 


-but  most  of   tliem  lose  heavily,  and 


American,  rhila'elphin 

Franklin,    I'hilinlelphia   

Uirard,  I'hilHdelphia.-.^--      .  ••„•/:,• 

his  Company  ,.f  North  Ainoncii,  l*.nil  - •  •  •• 
Ins.  Company  g.ateof  I'cnnsyiTama,  Phil. 

Uaociister,  haiicii^ter.---: 

Pennsylvania    I'hiladolpblii  -■ 

Delaware  Mutual  >atety,  Phila 

KnterpriBe,  Philadelphia 


♦3^,000 
27,000 
20,000 
26,000 


bycomiDK,  Munoy. 
Ai|)a,  t'Tio 


ileivaiiiK  Fire  R;  atlinif  -- -•-- 

Williauiiiport  tire,  Wiiliamsport- 
Columbitt,  Columbia 


Co*neeticut. 


MtnH,  Hixrtford 

City.  H artford - 

Charter  Oak.  Hartford 

ConiiectiiMit,  Unrtf'ord  ••••• 
Fttirflold  County,  Norwalk.. 

Hartlord,  Uarttord 

Merchant*,  Hartlord..-.--. 
North  American,  Hartford. 

Norwich,  Norwich 

Phoinix,  llartforu 

Putman,  Hartford 


Rhode  Island. 


American,  Providence ■ 

Atlantic,  Providence 

City,   Providence 

Kqaitai'le,  Providence ■ 

H"pe.  Providence 

Merchant^',  Providence ■ 

NarraganBett  Providence _-. 

Providence  Washington,  Providence. 
Roger  Williams,  Providence 


CaUforma. 


California,  San  Francisco 

Firemen's  Fund.  San  Francisco. 
Home  Mutual,  San  Francisco — 

Oooidental,  Sun  Francisco 

Pacific.  San  Francl-co 

People's  San  lirancisoo 

Ifnion,  San  FranoiBCo 


ifaitte. 

Eartern,  Bangor »  I50,00(i 

Katinnal,  t'angor £,°-™'' 

flaion.  Bangor S00.0«' 


100,000 

«!,047,B12 

Nothinn 

400,0(1) 

3,l'37.4.^! 

5(0,()0(> 

200,0(10 

4li:),(l6! 

Kothinit 

5(10,000 

3,orxi,.'):m 

coo.ooo 

200,000 

542,908 

20(i,()00 

2.'.0,34i> 

Nothing 

400,000 

1,094,001 

Nothing 

:i(io,o(io 

1,821.102 

200,000 

til!,(i51 

12.1,000 

Mutual 

.'ilfi.S  irt 

y50,ooo 

:i(i5,r,ai 

12,666 

l.'iO.OO') 

177,5();l 

1(M,(J00 

110,  SOD 

a.'jo.ooo 

i,()(:0,(x:o 

t."i.732,fa3 

*2,('00,0i  0 

2  ■O.OilO 

5.'i4,287 

2y),ooo 

l.")0,(JO<) 

251,951 

2t0,00i> 

auo,(WO 

40.'),0ti  > 

SuRiionded 

aiooot) 

2I«.3.'.H 

:t4,i  (10 

1,000  000 

2,7;t7.510 

1,200,00) 

200,000 

."WO.ogii 

350.000 

300,000 

4.''*,50:l 

uoo.ooo 

381.731! 

fiOO.O'O 

1,7 1 7,947 

7()o,'obo 

800,000 

785,783 

425,000 

t  '.00,000 

t  374,069 

$  400,000 

••'(Hl.dOO 

32(>,ia:l 

275,000 

50,000 

72,150 

500,0(0 

27l,l«'.» 

Nothing 

150.000 

2ll,H7:t 

150,000 

300,000 

372,199 

18,000 

500,000 

792,947 

38,000 

200  000 

41.'i,14J 

56O,00» 

800,000 

878,946 

100.000 

•  300,000 

C  106,324 

500,000 

7!i9,627 

eoj.tioo 

a:>T,-M.\ 

...-.- 

300,001 

474,095 

1,000,000 

1,7.7,207 

♦  1,000,000 

uoo.ooo 

5(K),0(lO 

750,000 

1,115,574 

9  150,00(1 

$  a37,64H 

Nothing 

200,000 

941,30!» 

17,S0o 

iJOO,000 

421.205 

5,ooa 

Jj 


44  HISTORV    OF    THE 

Michigan.  ,,        »     . 

"  ((ro«H  A "Hold  , 

Det?oi?Vir«  an-l  MHfin..  Detroit •  "jo.oo;'      •  WJVHU  4  HO.OOO 

Stiite,  Laimiiig iw.uuo  

^^''TreW  Proteotiva.  Mnw,n.l-.e  •  IfiMTJ;      *  W;ni  •  AOM 

North-weetornNutionul,  Milwaukee 18«.<HXi  Htl.^W  w.OOO 

.  "*'!sri'!iulFireundMBrmo,  Si.  I'liul •  lao.oiX)     •  ^<«).593  «  fio.ooo 

■^"''auL..  CaviuBton ••  - •  150.0«0       •  ie3.6"  I35..KK) 

JVw  JldVinxhirr. 

New  llHmpshire  Fire,  Miinchejter $  lOU.Ooo      $134,086  

Foreign  Oomjiaiiiex. 

The  list  of  foreign  flompiinien  doinK  busitiesM  in  tiie  Unitod  Stiitos  (tive»  the  whole  asBets 
oftlieeompnnie^.  A'l  of  thmn  except  the  linperiul  do  ft  life  iwurunee  busineM.  and  the  lar 
«e.t..ort^o^o.thei.a«.^  ^  ^,^ 

uXpo.'ifti;ondan"an;i«iohe. );;5;..76.|      l^.i:Hi.4U..  ^m^m 

North  British  and  Mcreuntile ''WS         .I*.  ?,^'i«-  v^i!?^ 

uSyal    '.■.-.'•".'-.■.■.■.■-".'. 1,-144.475         !l,a74,776  IW.UW 

Tiie  Conipmiips  wiiose  losses  are  (IPNigrmtwl  by  (lots  or  '•  leaders,"  have  not  lieen 
heard  from,  tlioiuili  iu  tiie  ciise  of  the  Chicago  conipaiiios  it  in  feared  a  very  laage  ma- 
jority—if not  all-are  liankru|it.  Tlie  "  Auicrifan,"  "  Merchantii',"  "  Relmblio,"  and  a 
lew  others,  how  'ver,  giving  iiromise  of  reasonalile  adjustment.  However,  tlieir  personal 
losses  liave  bi  en  immense— iia)iers  have  tiisappeared  and  been  destroyed,  recor<lH 
burned,  and  maiterH  so  disturbed  and  disarraned  that  it  must  be  a  long  time  ere  satis- 
factory or  definite  evidence  will  lie  forthcoming.  The  other  outwide  Companies  not 
lieard  from  have  not  l)een  very  great  sufferers,  though  many  will  be  hard  pressed. 
"We  from  inquiry  and  close  investigation  are  convinced  tliat  many  stated  losses  are  from 
26  to  60  per  cent,  more  tlian  at  presented  asserted. 

At  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  the  wildest  excitement  was  manifested;  men  grew 
desperate  as  they  discussed  tlie  removal  of  the  Board  to  Mich  ave.  on  the  South  Side 
— tJie  repudiation  of  former  transactions— the  losses  of  a  few  days  past— and  otlier 
matters  of  grave  importance.  Within  a  few  liours  between  two  and  three  thousand 
acres  of  magnificent  buildings  had  keen  destroyed— within  a  few  hours  over  16,000— 
yes  16,000  ediilces  liad  been  swept  away— within  a  few  hourn  80,000  or  90,000  people 
were  left  homeless,  houseless,  starving— and  within  a  few  hours  pro|)erty  to  the  extent 
of  over  $300,000,000  had  been  stricken  down  before  the  march  of  the  destroyer;  had 
acted  a  brilliant  part  in  the  Fire  Fiend's  Carnival— and  bade  the  proudest  head  droop 
and  coldest  hearts  yearn  for  the  miseries  of  the  Doomed  City.  Doomed  City  !  It  wa» 
indeed ;— years  of  strife  against  misfortune,  years  of  strife  with  creditors,  and  years  of 
dee])  anxiety— this  to  secure  prosperity— this  to  build  up  a  city  famed  throughout  th« 
civilized  world ;— and  now  for  miles  around,  naught  save  wrecked  fragments  of  masonry , 
ghastly  beds  of  ashes,  and  poverty's  gaunt  form  mocking  the  millionaire  of  yesterday 
Fragments  of  masonry!  let  those  who  doubt  this  assertion  seek  the  sites  of  th«  follow- 
ing magnificent  structures : — 

Academy  of  Design,  Adams,  between  State  and  Dearborn.  . 

A.  H.  Miller's  building,  corner  State  and  Madison.  ',  '. 

Andrew's  building,  La  Salle,  between  Madison  aud  Momoe.  ■  ;-    • 


t  80,00U 


•  7s,noo 

H<:,000 


t  fio.ooo 

t  35,IK)0 


I  the  whola  Kii«et.'< 
Ineu,  and  the  lar- 

*    m.ooo 
ift(),noo 

'J,(Hi(),(K>0 

'j.oooono 

Nothiuir 

!IH,l)00 

,"  have  not  been 
a  very  laage  iiiu- 
lepiiblio,"  atid  a 
er,  tlieir  pereonal 
Htroyed,  reeonls 
iig  time  ere  satis- 
e  Coiupanies  not 
be  liard  pressed, 
d  loHses  are  from 


psted;  men  grew 
the  South  Side 
past — and  oilier 
I  three  thousand 
rs  over  16,000— 
or  90,000  people 
jrty  to  the  extent 
e  destroyer;  had 
idest  head  droop 
ed  City  !  It  wa» 
ors,  and  years  of 
[1  throughout  tha 
nents  of  masonry , 
ire  of  yesterday 
08  of  the  folio w- 


GREAT    FIRE    IN    CHICAOO. 


44 


AndrawN  &.  OiIh'h  biiiMlriu,  (Mark,  betwci'ii  Monroe  and  AdnmN. 

Arcndf  Imililiiiys,  (Iliirk.  bt'tweeen  Miultson  and  Monroe, 

Herlin  l)lin'k,  corner  Hiate  and  Monroe. 

liinke'N  bniliilhi;,  Wa.shin<;ton,  between  Filth  avenun  and  Franklin, 

Hooiie  block,  La  Salle,  between  Wawliinnton  and  MnciiHoti. 

Howen'H  buildiiiu,  Itiiiidolpli,  between  Micliinan  an<l  Wabash  avenue. 

Bryan  block,  coiiier  La  Siille  and  Monroe. 

UitcIi'h  block.  Lake,  t)elween  WiibiiMJi  avenue  and  State  Htreel. 

Calhoun  block,  Clitrk,  )iet\\cen  WiiHliinuton  and  MailiNon. 

Chamber  of  Coninierce  l)uililinij,  corner  La  Salle  and  Wanliinaton. 

Chicago  Mutual  Life  limurance  building,  Fiflh  aveiuie,  between  WaHhington  aud 

Randolph. 
Thi  Chicdgo  Tirnen  buildiiii,'.  Dearborn,  between  Washington  and  Madison. 
City  Water  Works,  coiner  Uliicaijo  iiveiiue  and  I'ine. 
Cobb's  block,  corner  Lake  and  Wntiasli  aveinie. 
Cobb's  bl(«'k,  Wushiiinton,  between  Clark  and  Dearborn. 
Cobb's  buildinsi,  DeiirliorM,  between  Wasbint'ton  ami  Madison, 
Cotnmercial  liuililinsi,  corner  La  Snile  and  Lake. 
Commential   Insurance  Company's  building,  WaHhington,  between  La  Sail*  and 

Fifth  avenue. 
Court  House,  Randolph  and  Wiishington,  between  Clark  and  La  Salle. 
Crosby's  building.  State,  between  Randolph  and  Washingtcni, 
Custom  House,  corner  Dejuhorn  and  Monroe. 
Dellaveii  block.  Dearborn,  between  tiuincy  and  Jacks"ii. 
Depository  buildiiitr,  Kiimlolpli.  betweeti  Clark  and  La  Salle, 
Dickey's  building,  corner  Deiirbofii  and  Lake. 
Dole's  building,  corner  Clark  and  i^outh  Water. 
Drake's  block,  corner  Wiibasli  avenue  and  Washington. 
Eagle  Work's  block,  corner  Madison  atid  Clinton. 
Ewing  block,  North  ('lark,  between  North  Water  and  Kiii/.ie, 
Exchange  Bank  buildlns;,  corner  Lake  and  Clark. 
Flander's  block,  foot  South  Water. 

Fry's  building.  La  Salle,  between  Watdiington  and  Randolph. 
Fullert<in'H  block,  corner  Washington  and  Dearborn. 
'Gallup  building,  corner  La  Salle  and  Madison. 
Garrett  block,  corner  Randolph  and  Sta.e. 

Hartford  Fire  Instn-nnce  building,  La  Salle,  between  Randolph  and  Lake. 
Holt's  building,  Wiushington,  between  La  Salle  and  Fifth  avenue. 
Honore  block.  Dearborn,  beiweeen  Monroe  and  Adams. 
Illinois  Central  Land  Department  building,  Michigan  avenue,  between  Lak«  »\iid 

South  Water. 
Keep's  building,  Clark,  between  Madison  and  Monroe. 
Kehoe's  building,  corner  Twelfth  and  Blue  Island  avenue. 
Kent's  building.  No.  l-^S  Mmiroe. 
King's  block,  corner  AVasliington  and  Dearborn. 

Lakeside  building,  corner  Adams  and  Clark.  ■ 

Larimm  Block,  corner  Clark  and  Washington.  ':       .  ' 

Lincoln  block,  corner  Lake  and  Fratiklin.  . 

Lind's  block,  corner  Randolph  and  Market. 
Link's  block,  corner  La  Salle  and  Lake.      » 
Lloyd's  block,  corner  Randolph  and  Fifth  avenue. 
Lombard  block,  corner  Monroe  and  Custom  House    place,  between  Clark  aid 

Dearborn. 
Loomis  Block,  corner  Clark  and  South  Water. 
Lumberman's  Exchange,  corner  South  Water  and  Franklin. 
McCarthy's  Building,  corner  Dearborn  and  Washington. 
McCarthy's  Building,  corner  Clark  and  Randolph. 
McConnick's  Block,  corner  Dearborn  and  Randolph. 
McCormick's  Building,  corner  Michigan  ave.  and  Lake. 
McKee's  Building,  corner  Wabash  ave.  and  Randolpli. 
Mackin's  Building,  State,  between  Madison  and  Monroe. 
Magie's  Building,  corner  LaSalle  and  Randolph. 


-■^e  Si;«SSaB*«*!*«i»^jlB4Sa!KiT»ss>iSev* 


HlflTORY    «»F    THK 

Major  Illd.k,  nviiiff  LaSallf  ami  MinliHim. 

Marino  Hank  HniMinu,  lorncr  Ukf  ami  USiillf. 

M.Tl.«ni.K'  Huil.li.iK,  WiiMliinnlon,  L.Mw.M'n  l,.iSall.-  nml  Mllh  nvo. 

M«'r<'aniil.«  Uiiil-lina,  l.arfallc,  liflw.Tii  Ma.lison  ai.<l  WuNhinuioii, 

M..rrliniil'H  fiiHiiraii.f  IJiiil.iinu,  <'orn.T  LaHall.'  ami  Wiishiii«ton. 

Mclh.HliHl  C'liunli  Ul.H'k,  ci.rncr  Clark  ami  WaKliiM«tou. 

Mclriipiirnan  Hl<><k,  vurui'V  Uamli'l|ih  ami  UHnllt>. 

MonriHi  Uuililiii«,  f«.rni>r  Clark  ami  Mnnnn-. 

Morrison  lUoik,  Clark,  lifiw.-cn  Miulison  and  Mcnrm-. 

Morrison  Uuililinc,  Cliirk,  t..'iAVf.'n  Muilisou  ami  Washmisloii. 

N«'wl>iiry  lJlo«;k,  itrncr  Wi-lls  nml  Kin/.ii-. 

Nixon  liiiililiiiu.  ridiiiir  LaSallc  and  Monroe 

Norton  Hlork,  N.ps.  i;i(i  and  i;!«  f^outl.  Water. 

Old  Hoard  of  Trade  Uiiildinns,  South  Water,  l.etween  I.aS.ille  and  ttllli  ave. 

Open  Hoard  UniMinti,  Miidison,  lielween  Clark  and  LaSalle. 

(trienlal  Uuildinu',  LaSalle.  between  Wasliinsilon  atid  Madison. 

OtiH  Hlofk,  eorner  Madison  ami  LaS'dl<'. 

Otis  Biiildini!,  corner  Stale  and  .Mudison. 

I'dcitli:  Hotel,  corner  (Jlnrk  and  Qtiincy. 

Pardee's  linildina,  corner  Sontli  Water  and  Kil'tli  ave. 

I'lKunix  Hiiildini!,  USidle.  between  Uandolph  ami  Wasliitiglon. 

I'oinerov's  Huildinir.  No    Itltl  Soiitli  Water. 

I'ope's  block,  Mudison,  between  Cliirk  and  I-aSallc, 

I'ortland  Block,  corner  Kearliorii  and  Wasliiimloii. 

Post-Olllce  corner  Denrliorii  and  Monroe. 

I'osi-Onicp  Huililiinj,  UearlMirn.  between  Madison  nml  Monroe 

yVaiVfVf  Fiinrur  liMildini;.  AJonroe,  between  Uearboni  and  Clark. 

rurples  Block,  corner  North  Clark  and  Oidario. 

Ravinoiid  Block,  corner  Slute  and  Madison. 

Republic  Lilt'  Insuraiicv  liiii  din«,  La.Salle.  between  Madtson  and  Monroe. 

Reynold's  Block,  coni.-r  Dearborn  and  Madison.  "* 

Rice's  Bnihiina,  "i  to  ^;'.  Dearborn. 

Scanimon's  BuildiiiB,  corner  Randolph  and  Miflneaii  ave. 

Shppard's  Buildinu,  Dearborn,  between  Monroe  and  Adams. 

Hheiman  House  Block,  corner  Clark  and  Ratidolph. 

Smith  &  Nixon's  Block,  corner  fc'lark  and  Washington. 

Speed's  Building.  125  Dearborn.  .m     , 

StaaU  7A-iXmij  Buildinsj,  Madison,  between  Dearborn  and  Clark. 

Steam's  Building,  Washington,  between  LaSalle  and  Fifth  ave. 

Steel's  Block,  corner  LaSalle  and  Sotith  Water. 

Stone's  Biiihlina,  Madison,  between  Clark  and  LaSalle. 

Taylor's  Block,  corner  Franklin  and  South  Water. 

Tribune.  BuiMing,  corner  Dearborn  and  Madisoti. 

Turner's  Builditig,  corner  Nortii  Stale  and  Kinzie. 

Tyler  Block,  LaSalle  between  Lake  and  South  Water. 

Uhlich  Block,  North  Clark,  between  Kinzie  and  Water. 

Union  Building,  corner  LaSalle  and  Washington. 

Volk'd  Building,  197  Washington.  ,  „      ,  ,  , 

Walker's  Block,  Dearborn,  between  Lake  and  Randolph. 

Warner's  Block,  1'2H  and  125  Randolph.  ,  ,.    ,. 

Washington  Block,  Clark,  between  Washington  and  Madison. 

Wheeler's  Block,  corner  Clark  and  South  Water. 

Wicker's  Building,  corner  State  and  8»tith  Water. 

WrigUt  Brother's  Building,  corner  North  State  and  Kin/.ie. 

FiT«  Public  Schools, 

HOTELS. 


slrei 


ter 


Palmer  House. 
Sherman  House. 
Tremont  House. 
Pacific 

Adams  House. 
Briggs  House. 
Mattison  House. 
Revere  House. 


Orient  House 


Eveiett  House. 
Metropolitan  House. 
Central  House. 
Howard  House. 
City  Hotel. 
Clifton  House. 
Clarendon  House. 
Bigelow  House. 


itr 


•01 

Bl 


lid  Fil'ili  avp. 


ORKAT    FIRK    IN    CHICAOO. 


IT 


Kpidcopal <* 

I'rt'Mlntoriui & 

^r«Ul.■><ll«t f» 

I'niliii'iiin - 

Hwncli'iiliorxi'iii - 

UeHideK  niiiiiy  ntlior  placs  .of  worthii 


rilUKCIIKS. 

NVw  Knglnnd 1 

('i)uurnuatiiiliiil 1 

Calhollc *. 6 

JpwimIi ii 

l.iitlDTiin '•! 

fully  M>veiity  being  clpMtroypd. 


nil  Monioe. 


KIik'n  Opera  Houh*. 
(»lyiii[)ir. 
(Icnimn 
'J'liiiii'r  Hull. 


ter 


House, 
litan  House. 
House. 

House, 
tel. 

House, 
on  Hou8©. 
r  House. 


TIlE.XTRKS. 
rroubvV  Opern  Hoii'-c, 

Hoole\'>. 
lleui'lidiii, 
Wooil  s  Muhtfuin. 
The  following  Iluiltllll4^  chcnped: 

iJLooKs  AM)  runur  nuiLDiNfls. 

Uainaeur  l)ull '  uu',  ijoincr  of  VVcnI.  Luke  liml  ('limon  ni,re«l«. 

Cole'.s  liuil<liiu.  I'oiii.'i-  West  MiiilNoii  mill  lliiNleiul  streets. 

]!(lw;ii(lN  lilotk.  Milwi'.uketi  avt'iuio,  li.'iwt-i'ii  Nolde  aiwl  Cleaver  streeU, 

Hii'li  School.  West  Munnip  Mrwl,  tunweeii  Dehi)laiiieM  and  llalstead  HtreeU. 

nice  Jc  .lack^'Oii   IMoik,  WcM  lUndolpli  Klrcoi,  beiwc.-n  Jetr.-rioii  and  DiMplaiuM 

Hliermann  Block.  Wabash  avenue,  between  Twelfth  and  Tliirteenth  stieeU. 

SAVINGS   IfANKH. 
Prairie  State  Loan  and  Trust  Company,  Mo.  '.i^i  West  Randolph  street. 
Sttviiiys  liAiik  01  till-  M.n:lmnic.s'  AsHociatloii,  No.  ICt  Twenty -second  street. 

RAILWAY  STATIONS. 
Pittsburgh,  Fort  Wayne  &  t'liit.igo,  corner  Canal  and  Madison  streets. 
Pitt-sbiirg.  (.'iiicinriuti  &  Hi.  Louis,  corner  Ciinal  and  Ken/.ie  streets. 
('liicano.^Aliori  &.  Si.  Louis,  corner  Canal  and  Madison  street*. 
ChicHsjo  «Si  Northwestern  (,WiKconsiu  and  Mdwaukee  division)  corner  West  W»- 
jr  and  Ken/.ie  .'■treeis. 

Chicago,  UansviUe  and  Vineennes,  corner  Canal  and  Kenzie  streets. 

DANKS. 
Chicaeo  Clearing  House  Association,  82  Dearborn  street. 
City  National  Rank,  l.'G  Wa.slnngtou  street, 
("onnnercial  Naiioral  Bunk,  55  Dearborn  street. 
(Commercial  Loan  Company,  41  Nortii  Clark  street. 

Cook  County  National  Rank,  Honore  Block,  comer  Dearborn  and  Monroe  8tr»eU- 
Corn  E.Kchange  National  Rank,  room  2  Chamber  of  C'-nmerce. 
Fifth  National  Bank,  nortli-eaht corner  (.'lark  and  Dearborn  streets. 
First  National  Bai;k.  south-west  corner  State  and  Wasi-ington  streets. 
Fourth  National  Baiik,  soulh^asi  comer  Dearborn  and  Washington  streets. 
(iermania  Bank,  40  South  Clark  street. 

Hibernian  Banking  Association,  south-west  corner  Clark  and  Lake  streets. 
Illinois  Mtitual  Trust  Company,  147  and  149  Randolph  street.  ,„..     , 

Manufacturers'  National   Bank,   north-west  corner  Dearborn  and  Washington 

Marine  Company  of  Chicago,  156  Lake,  north-east  cornOT  LaSalle  street. 
Mechanics'  National  Bank,  154  Lake  street. 
Merchants'  National  Bank,  108  LaSalle  street. 
National  Bank  of  Commerce,  87  Dearborn  street. 
National  Bank  of  Illinois,  05  Washington  street. 

North- Western  National  Bank,  1  Chamber  of  Commerce.  ,  r  «. 

Prairie  Sute  Loan  and  Trust  Company,  north-west  corner  Randolph  and  Je«»r- 
•on  streets.  .      u  _j 

Real  Estote  Loan  and  Trust  Company,  105  and  107  Monroe  utrwt,  Lombard 

Block. 

8<'Cond  National  Bank,  north-west  corner  Lake  and  Clark  streets.  .. 
Traders"  National  Bank,  44  Clark  street,  :  -  v  t 


}fj 


48 


HISTORY    OF    THE 


Third  National  Bank,  corner  Rnndolnb  and  Dearborn  streets. 

Union  Insurance  and  Trust  Company,  No  188  Dearborn  street. 

Union  National  l?ank,  soutli-wesi  comer  LaSulle  and  Wasliington  streets. 

Union  Slock  Yard.s  National  Bank,  Union  Stock  Yanls. 

J.  R.  Valentine  &  Co. 

SAVINGS'  BANKS. 
Chicago  Savings  Institution  and  Ti  usl  Canipaiiy ,  basement  soutli-west  corner  State 
and  Washington  streets. 

Coin.  Loan  Conipaiiv.  No.  60  North  Clark  street. 

Fourth  National  Bank,  soutii-ea-st  corner  Washington  and  Dearborn  streets. 

German  Savings  Itank,  Nos.  ;!4  and  '-'S  LaSalle  street. 

Hibernian  Bank  As^uciat.ioll  Savings  Bank,  south-west  corner  Clark  and  Lake- 

International  Mutual  Trust  Company,  No.  18.5  LaSalle  street. 
Marine  Comi)any  of  Chicago,  No  IfiO  Lake  street. 

Merchants',  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Savings  Bank,  No.  18  Clark  street. 
Mercliants'  Saving  Loan  and  Trust  Company,  south-west  corner  Lake  and  Dear- 
born streets. 

National  Loan  and  Trust  Company,  02  LaSalle  street. 

Prairie  State  Loan  and  Trust  Company,  95  West  Randolph  street. 

Real  Estate,  Loan  and  Trust  Company,  next  west  of  the  Post  Office. 

Savings  Bank  of  the  Mechanics  Asssociation,  164  Twenty-second  street. 

State  "savings' Institution,  8^  and  84  LaSalle  sireet.  ,„,„„., 

Union  Insurance  and  Trust  Company,  183  Dearborn  street;  Branch  at  316  Md- 

waukee  street. 

RAILWAY  STATIONS. 

Michigan  Central  and  Great  Western  of  Canada,  Union  Depot,  foot  of  Lake  street. 

Lake  Shore  &  Michigan  Soutliern,  Van  Buren  street,  liead  of  LaSalle. 

Illinois  Central,  foot  of  Lake  street. 

Chicago,  Burlington  &Quiucy,  foot  of  Liike  street.  ,      ,     u     a    r 

Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific,  corner  Van  Buren  and  Sherman  streets,  head  of 

"^    Chicago  &  North-western  (Galena  division)  corner  of  North  Water  and  Wells 
streets,  North  Side. 

The  following  Elevators  were  burned:  Munger  &  Armours,  Galena,  Illinois 
Central  A.,  Hiram  Wheeler's,  National,  Vincent  Nelson  &  Co.'s.  The  following  Eleva- 
tors were  reported  safe :  Illinois  Central  B.,  Flint  &  Thompson,  two  of  Munn  & 
Scott,  two  of  Armour,  Dnle  &  Co.,  Burhngton,  and  Old  Iowa  and  Illinois  River.  The 
total  amount  of  grain  remaining  in  the  Elevators  is  5,000,000  bushels.  It  is  estimated 
that  the  losa  in  grain  will  amount  to  nearly  2,000,000  of  bushels. 

Between  eighty  and  ninety  printing  offices  were  destroyed,  including  lithography 
and  stereoiyping  establishments.  • 

Friday— and  the  work  of  building  up  Chicago  is  proceeded  with  ;  various  sections 
of  the  burned  district  are  dotted  with  wooden  structures  ;  men  are  buf.ily  clearing 
away  bricks,  opening  safes,  making  contracts,  organizing  their  affairs.  Foohsh  ru- 
mors were  abroad  that  the  millionaire  of  last  week,  Potter  Palmer,  had  committed  sui- 
cide. Wise  men  shook  their  heads  and  said,  "  He's  not  the  man  to  go  into  that  busi- 
ness-his  splendid  hotels  and  stores  may  have  been  flattened  to  the  ground,  but  he  has 
been  through  too  much  and  learned  too  much  to  be  afraid  of  the  world  ;  he  has  more 
blood,  and  will  yat  get  full  value  for  all  he  has  lost."  This  was  the  universal  verdict 
in  favor  of  the  moral  probity  of  a  man  who  has  done  more  for  Chicago  than  any  single 
individual  in  it  during  the  past  few  years.  It  was  talked  of,  too,  that  a  few  of  the  fire- 
men gloated  over  his  hotel  being  destroyed,  owing  to  Mr.  Palmer  having  advised  econ- 
omy in  the  Fire  Department,  but  we  received  no  authentic  evidence  of  such  unmanly 


t. 

^ton  streets. 

itli-westfornev  State 

■arborn  streets. 

ner  Clark  and  Lake- 


■'lark  street. 

nier  Lake  and  Dear- 


treet. 
;  Oflice. 
ond  street. 

;  Branch  at  316  Mil- 


,  foot  of  Lake  street, 
f  LaSalle, 


man  streets,  he  ad  of 
•th  Water  and  Wells 

iir's,  Galena,  Illinois 
The  following  Eleva- 
son,  two  of  Munn  & 
I  Illinois  River.  The 
hels.    It  is  estimated 

ncluding  lithography 

v'ith ;  various  sections 
are  busily  clearing 
affairs.  Foolish  ru- 
r,  had  committed  sui- 
to  go  into  that  busi- 
lie  ground,  but  he  has 
e  world  ;  he  has  more 
1  the  universal  verdict 
licago  than  any  single 
that  a  few  of  the  flre- 
•  having  advised  econ- 
ince  of  such  unmanly 


GREAT    FIRE    IN    CHICAGO. 


49 


conduct.  If  Potter  Palmer  possesses  the  same  nerve  he  did  but  ten  years  a^o,  he  can- 
not be  a  ruined  man.  A  story  is  also  circulating  that  Gen.  Sheridan,  hearing  that  a 
certain  hotel  keeper  on  the  South-east  Side  was  extortionate  in  his  ])ricps,  disguised 
biniself  and  visitod  the  individual,  a.sking  him  what  he  "  ciiarged  by  the  day  T 

"  Ten  dollars,"  was  the  response. 

"  Could  you  not  run  it  at  »2.50  V 

"  No,  we  charge  ten  dollars  per  day,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Well,"  answered  Sheriiliin,  "  if  yon  do  not  t;ik«  your  sign  down  and  replace  the 
$10  with  $2.50,  we  ivill  run  it  for  you  ! 

Whatevor  followed  few  knew,  but  $2.50  per  day  was  the  charge  from  tliat  hour. 

A  further  rumor  that  Mr.  Ullhniiin,  of  the  firm  of  Wren,  Ullhiuim  &  Co.,  bankers, 
who  was  found  dead  near  his  place  of  business  on  the  night  of  the  lire,  had  been  mur- 
dered, and  not  burned  to  death  as  was  supposed  ;  tliis  story  was  fully  credited  by  good 
authorises.  Various  ca-ses  of  shooting,  hanging,  killing  had  occurred  during  the  week, 
but  excite<i  les.s  attention  than  a  rimaway  team  on  an  ordinary  occasion ;  some  who  were 
S[ie<.ial  policemen  took  advantage  of  their  position,  and  used  force  where  gentle  words 
w""o  id  have  answered.  Allan  Pinkerton  had  issued  notices  that  anyone  discovered 
stealing  would  be  put  to  death,  and  as  Gen.  Sheridan  behaved  most  humanely,  at  the 
same  time  enforcing  strict  discijdine,  there  were  fbwer  cases  of  crime  than  might  liave 
been  reasonably  anticipated.  Some  who  were  given  water  by  those  in  a  position  to 
bestow,  sold  it  at  good  prices  until  they  were  discovered. 

The  German  population  were  really  in  great  distress,  and  as  they  had  ever  been  a 
liberal-minded,  industrious  and  peaceable  class,  it  was  hoped  that  a  fund  would  be  pro- 
videtl  for  them  ;  large  nmnbers  of  these  living  in  tlie  Nortli  Division  were  totally  ruined. 
The  Oddfellows,  Masons  and  members  of  other  societies  are  issuing  circulars  to  their 
distant  brethren,  calling  for  aid.  A  meeting  of  the  I,ouisville,  Cincinnati,  ludianapoUs 
and  St.  Louis  relief  committees  took  place,  at  which  represeuU'itives  from  other  cities 
were  present.  They  unanimously  resolved  upon  deflnite  arrangements,  so  that  sub- 
scriber and  receiver  might  be  protected  ;  this  was  to  see  that  the  contributions  here- 
after should  be  jiroperly  disp^ysed  ot.  To  meet  this  view  a  thorough  organization  wa.s 
effected,  consisting  of  the  Chicago  Relief  and  Aid  Society,  assisted  by  prominent  citi- 
zens. All  bills  were  to  be  audited  by  the  Executive  Committee  of  that  Society,  consist- 
ing of  seven  well-known  citizens,  the  Controller  and  R.  B.  Mason,  Mayor. 
This  organization  made  the  following  suggestions  to  people  : 

"  So  far  as  practicable,  we  suggest  that  money  be  remitted,  as  with  that  we  can 
buy  articles,  which  from  time  to  time  we  most  need.  All  funds  collected  elsewhere 
should  be  remitted  direct  to,  or  held  subject  to  the  order  of  "  The  Chicago  Relief  and 
Aid  Society."  funds  already  deposited  in  other  cities  will  he  drawn  upon  by  orders  or 
drafts  of  '  The  Chicago  Relief  and  Aid  Society,'  signed  by  R.  B.  Mason.  All  materials 
should  be  consigned  to  '  The  Chicago  Relief  and  Aid  Society,'  at  Chicago,  great  care 
being  taken  to  murk  contents  on  packages,  and  to  send  invoices  promptly  by  mail. 
8eud  cooked  or  perishable  food  only  upor.  special  order  from  our  Society. 
,^    „  .  R-  B.  Mason,  Mayor. 

"'    ■■  "       Henry  W.  Kino,  President  of  the  Chicago  Relief  and  Aid  Society.    ' 

Wirt  Dkxtbr,  Chairman  Executive  Committee." 

Allan  Pinkerton's  --.ircular  occasions  considerable  interest:  — 

Office  op  Pinkerton's  Police. 
Orders  are  hereby  given  to  Captains,  Lieutenants,  Sergeants,  and  men  of  Pinker- 
ton's jtreTonuve  poUce,  that  they  are  in  charge  of  the  burning  district,  in  the  South  Divi- 


;N«9SseSi=1F' v^^fr;..**)*! 


HISTORY    OF    THE 

GO 

their  fate.  i?i,i„iitv  aafe    Co  'a  v«uU»  and  other  bulks 

1 1  was  further  announced  that  the  Fidehty  sale    v.o.s  vnu 
Uwastnrtne  .„.   ^ew  York  b.lancet^leave  60  im  "nt,  wh.l.t  the 

,e,e  ..nnd,  ""'"•"''''-""',"'"     °    ,5  „  „  pe,  cent  more.    The  7V»«eh.. 
i„.„r.n...  .t  the  least  ..cure  th.  W.     ,  U    «  p  ^^  ^^^^^^  ^^ 

,.k.  a  ...h  ...,t ,»  a  no.  «t  o,  -77-; tTar^^I^'ener^.f^; 

h.pp,,,™,,ch..,h.n,..,.,,..«r.h       ,..„ 

emerge  like  a  lion  in  a  few  dajh— ^vui  m«j.i  i-r 

^"'tn  jT^^Loo-TUe  re,n,.n_afte.  a  wee..  ,ap.e-of  that  day  whj^ 

Witnessed  tl.e  co,ume„cemeut  of  ' '«  '->   ^    J*^  u.ey  consider  .hat  ten,  even 

r^;.!       U         iX  eaLsLde  are  .ut  calcined  .nasses,  whilst  n.any  a  good 
Imrned;  otheis  that  iiieir  ,.rv,M.a^o  mav  be  burned,  but  Chicago  men 

,„.„_ret„,„.n.  to  h,s  ho,,..  exc,.,„.-  r^-'UZ^^!,  ...  ,„  „,„.re.., 

r:t"rtrs:ri:!z:t;:tc'rd.„hat  „„  h,,™..,.. .«.  humed,  .,.„.... 
"^t^::^:^::::^^^^:^^.  ^  ^^  that  .,...e  con.  „.«.„ 

rebuilding.  ^^^^^^_  pattered,  pattered,  om 

Then  ran  commenced;  itsprinkien  ngnuv,  '^     ,     .  .        „,.,,.„  >,„t  now  it 

people  he  could  trace  n..h«~  •«7'    "  ""J'f.J  J.^  h.,.,  destroyed,  and 

,»,!  in  n.0,..,  and  .«>,»«  In  postage  .«P.  ;™  "'Hk.  l^^l  -^^^ 
The  caah  book  .a.  a  calcined  ma...  whlM  the  Mg.r.  lay  ^>»'|'.  *^X  an^uncri 

^  .e  paper.  .,the  ''^^'^^  ^':''^:^i::' ^zT'i-''':^^-^''  - 


rge,  or  attempting 
111  lime,  tlM»y  shall 
l)Ut  (leatli  sliall  be 

N  PiNKBBTON. 

s  and  other  banks 

r  cent,  whilst  the 

The  Tnbtineh&a 

— let  no  trouble  be 

be  in  a  position  to 
lalne^s."  The  Poit 
table  energy  which 
cNally  &  Co.,  tlie 
[).,  the  "Lakeside" 

off  to  New  York— 
r.  Storey— who  will 
lufucp  in  stirring  up 

-of  that  day  which 

link  not  now  of  the 

iisider  that  ten,  even 

with  the  dire  enier- 

Land  Eecords  are 

whilst  many  a  good 

?d,  but  Chicago  men 

-"  I  was  in  Montreal, 

burned,  but  my  wife 

these  could  not  com- 
rould  convict  them  of 
ying  out  contracts  for 

pattered,  pattered,  oi 
eeu  scarce,  but  now  it 
vers ;  they  caiue  early 

.  Sheridan  assured  th« 

Iso  announced  that  the 

being  destroyed,  and 

Government  property, 

be  very  much  injured, 
though  not  fit  for  use. 

ks,  ft.c.,  were  rea<.lable. 

It  was  also  announced 
supposed  to  have  beett 

could  not  be  mor«  Aa« 


CUr.Ar    FIRE    IN    CHICAGO.  51 

l.ctwefii  (110  unci  lAvo  l,iin<'r.Ml ;  l.ul  this  wns,  is  mid  must  he.  mnro  individual  opinion; 
scores  liml  pen.vlied  wlio  would  not  be  missed  fr.mi  a  p.nuilation  of  .<!0O,O0O.  Then  it 
wns  said  Hint  tlio  Niclio'son  pi'voment  <lid  not  burn;  this  however  was  trao'd  to  people 
who  liiid  an  inteif'ot  ui  n.aintiiining  a  ?ood  reputation  for  it;  the  pnvcnient  did  burn; 
not  ■'foiiiiilcs"  ns  some  announced,  but  in  va.iioiis  plaves  it  was  so  (nvd  that  pedes- 
trians found  difTicully  in  passiiiR  over  it  during  llio  conllagration.  The  Liverpool,  Lon- 
don and  Glol.o  Insurance  Companies  telegraphed  that  every  dollar  of  their  losses 
(f2,7y(!,(H'0)  would  be  promptly  sent,  and  also  subserilinir  $10,000  to  the  Relief  Fimd. 
It  was  also  hinted  tluit  the  "  Pacific"  Insuranre  slocldiolders  had  refused  to  respond  to 
the  75  i)er  pent  call,  and  claimed  that  the  charter  only  allowed  5  per  cent  at  a  time. 
This  rufusal  was  owinir  to  tl;e  fact  that  losses  were  found  to  bo  $2,000,000  instead  of 
81.000,000  as  first  supposed.     Al.?o    that  the  Putnaiu  of  Hartford  would  suspend  and 

reorganize. 

Tlius  elided  away  another  day— closing  a  week  which  witncs.sed  the  most  dis- 
astrous conllaiiration— and  rivalling  iNfoscow- tho  world  was  ever  visited  by.  God 
grant  that  all  fiituro  generations  may  be  spared  a  similar  atllietion ! 

During  the  "-eat  London  Fire  which  commenced  on  the  2d  of  September  I6C6,  and 
continued  threr  M.  and  nialits,  13,200  houses  were  destroyed,  together  with  many 
public  building      .  St.  Paid's,  the  City  Gates,  Royal  Exchange,  Custom  House, 

Guild  Hall,  Sioa  <  "  r  -tc.,  this  was  immediately  after  the  riaguo,  and  chastened  the 
horror-stricken  city  ;  out  in  Chicago  naught  save  magnificent  stone  and  marble  blocks, 
immense  rows  of  residences— eacli  one  in  value  and  dimensions  representing  five  of  the 
structures  consumed  by  the  Are  of  16C0— each  one  a  model  of  purity,  cleanliness  and 
grandeur;  to  .-ompare  that  five  with  the  one  now  on  record  would  be  a  very  great  error, 
using  the  mildest  form  of  expr.-ssion.  Again,  the  UTiited  fires  which  have  occurred  on 
the  American  Continent  for  the  past  half  century,  in  amount  of  losses  and  production 
of  misery,  fall  far  short  of  the  Chicago  calami, y ;  to  jirove  this  figures  are  simply 
necessary : 

LOSS. 

New  York                          ....18:?5  600  warehouses,  ac,        ?20.000,00n 

Cliarle-^ton.'s.  C., 18H8  1,1.58  buildings  8,0f)0,0(K) 

New  York IKV.)  46  buildings  10,000,000 

Pliiladelpliia 188f)  52  buildings  f.00,000 

Pilt.'^bur'Vh  Pa    IS  15  1 ,000  bni^dings  6.000,000 

Qiit-bec,"  Canada) 1845  2,800  l.uiMings  ^Mllll!'!!!'" 

y.-w  York 18^5  302  buildings  0,000.000 

St!  Jolm's  (N.  F.) 18.K?  :.  ^"'SS^ 

Nantucket IS'Q  JiOO  bniMings  800,000 

t\ibany       18H*  600  buiidings  3,000,000 

IJi-ooklvn",  n!  Y.',  . . . . '. 1S48  200  hnlldings                '  7o0,ori0 

St.   Louis 1810  ]:-Sbl,M.ks  .miO,000 

Philadelphia 18.50  300  hous'.^s  4,000,000 

And  allowing  an  averace  in  proportion  for  the  past  twenty  years— there  yet  domains  the 
indisputable  fact  that  for  property  destroyed,  pecuniarily  viewed,  for  misery  and  pov- 
g„(y  ctigcndnred,  for  businssg  disturbance,  and  shock  to  the  Connncrcial  classes,  no 
flres— or  union  of  fires- have  ever  equalled  this  fearful,  devastating  visitation  of  1871. 
The  world  li.is  been  appalled  by  it — and  we  can  judge  how  vast  a  circumstanco  is 
required  to  thrill  md  unnerve  the  calm,  practical  inhabitants  of  a  universe. 


J. 


62 


lIlSTOnV    OF    THE 


ff 


Sunday— Tl.iMliiy  of  lost  from  !ulmr!  On  ibis  evoniutr  .i  lu.  .-linii  ofihf  olllcpri. 
of  tli,>  Na'ioiKiI  HankN'of  (^hio;.^..  took  place,  in  oi.l>'(  tliai  n  ccifoiTiico  uiifelil  be  held  to 
coufoi'  wiiU  Mv.  iri.ll)Ui-a,  Uontvollor  of  Curreucy.  Tin-  Chair  was  ocoui.ie.l  by  J.  Irv- 
i,,,'  P.>arce,  Presideut  of  the  Tliird  National  llauk.  Heniy  (iroonbauui,  of  the  Oe.niftn 
Kliional  \S:n>k,  Secretary.  A  lou^lhy  discussion,  Lnicbhiy  ihe  <  on.li:M.u  of  \h:-  Chieaso 
banks  as  alU'  :te,l  by  Iba  Ore,  was  llie  ivsiilt.  U  was  ascorumied  up.m  comparison  of 
liabilities  and  R.^ources,  tlmt  all  the  b:uiks  were  pe.ledly  solvent,  and  shoul.l  resume 
ousiuess  at  ouce.  The  only  delay  asked  by  any  of  Iho  banks  was  tor  sulli.  lent  time  to 
couvoy  their  safes  from  the  niins  to  mw  places  of  l.usi.iess,  and  t-  ar,ahi,'e  lueir  books 
and  oflice  furnitue.  A  res  dution  heretoiovc  passed,  to  jniy  lilieen  per  cent,  cash  im- 
mediately, was  unnn-.uvnisly  ve^cindcd.  and  a  leRoluiion  a.lopicd  to  open  f..r  regular 
transaction  of  busine--  at  10  a,  m.  on  the  17i.li  inst. 

The  following  w.u-i  issued : 

^IrSlJ^'aU-inined  from  personal  Investioation,  lh:,t  the  National  Banks  of  niieaiio 
ore  s"m  '~i     lUulu.ns.  and  tl'it,  notwithstaudiair  the  iat.  the,  Ihey  are  aole  m.d  vea. 
?i^^  a      u"t  c  aims  on  presentation.     I  hereby  a.^umnce  tint  .he  Aanonal     an.    ot 
riic,-     V      open  their  doors  for  tiio  traosaeth.n  of  onsni.'ss  as  usmd.   on    ]  uesda 
Sic  iftlVln'Vat  lo  A.  >r..  and  I  hereby  express  my  behef  in  then-  abd.ty  to  meet  a!! 
ti,e;rle,itimaJeM,.a..m.nt.s  on  demand.  ^^^^^^^^^^^^_^^^^^jj^^^ 

Many  of  ihe  edifices  remaining  inlact  were  converted  into  IL.uses  of  Ilefuue. 
There  were  a  few  chuiclies  left,  bat  these  clergymeu-of  all  denominat.ons-wbo.e 
sacred  temples  h.d  been  destroyed,  preached  in  llie  open  air  to  those  wlohad  been 
"  throu-h  ihe  the.-  The  occasion  was  solemn  and  impressive.  Tears  fell  from  eyes 
unasedTo  woepin;;,  and  their  Creator  lookodldown  on-*nd  let  us  hope  i.itied-tl.ose 
brou-ht  to  his  foot-stool  and  subdued  by  adversity.  At  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,  New 
York"  th-  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Suirrs,  Vicar  Oene.al,  read  the  f.dlowin-  circular: 

foodo!  ^dielle  1.  np'.^alshoioico,     lo  that  will  not 

Christian  <-'''";>  ^.^''^'^'^^/J.^"",  o.>a  in.i .  due  annoimcement  to  be  mada  on  next 
t£^/'^;L:':.S:!^£^^   should-be  se..  imn^Uat^y  to  the    Chancery  office. 
Z.  they  may  be  remitied  without  deiay  to  ->-- ^J^j^J;^^,,,  ,,  j,,,  y,,k. 
Given  at  New  York,  this  10th  day  of  October,  1871. 

In  New  York  and  Brooklyn  the  Reverend.  Dr.  Ewer,  Dr.  Richardson.  Dr.  Thomp- 
son Dr.Chapin,  llep^ovth,  Ur.  Bollowes,  Henry  Ward  Beecher,  Dr.  Houghton,  lal- 
mnae  Dr.  Duncan  and  others,  spoke  eloquently.  lu  fact,  throughout  the  length  and 
brellth  of  the  land,  voices  were  raised  and  fervent  prayers  offered  up,  and  tJie  great 
principle  vindicated,  that  nations-as  well  as  individuals-mu^t  ever  be  kuit  together  .u 
one  common,  but  God-like  bond  of  brotherhood. 

Throughout  the  couliuent  the  churches  wore  doiuj.  the.r  --art,  thousands  of  dol- 
lars bein^  subscribed,  and  it  was  found  that  New   York,   in  cash  and  supplies,  bad 


na  of  t lie  offlcerK 
'  uiifehl  be  liokl  to 
;cup!e(l  by  J.  Irv- 
n.  of  the  fie.  man 
on  of  tl'^'  Chicago 
.in  com]ianson  of 
ml  sluiuUl  resume 
•  stilli.  iinit  tiiuo  to 
•liihi^t?  riieii-  books 
|)iT  cent,  casb  im- 
1  u\K'.u  for  regular 


1  n:ink«of  (.'hii-arro 
rt^  n.iilo  ami  ready 
Naiioual  ]?aiiks  of 
<iiiil.  iiu  Tiies.lay 
ability  lo  uu'el  ai! 

l^r  of  Curicncy. 
ilduses  of  Rpfuue. 
)iuinalioii.s — wboto 
lose  wl'o  bad  been 
ears  fell  from  eyes 
nope  ))itied — those 
k's  Cathedral,  Now 
'.ircular : 

u  tlie  thousands  of 
lated  ciiy,  wiibout 
•e  is  not  one.  I  aru 
little,  that  will  not, 
,  iho  jireater  facili- 
im  of  a  great  act  of 
in  all  the  churches 
to  be  niada  on  next 
e    Cliancery  oflice, 

lop  of  New  York. 

ardson,  Dr.  Thomp- 
Ur.  Houghton,  Tal- 
out  the  length  and 
3d  up,  and  the  great 
r  be  kiiit  together  lU 

■t,  thousands  of  dol- 
ih  and  supplies,  bad 


GREAT    Fim;    IN    ClUCAGO. 


68 


already  laiseu  over  ^J.DoO.OOO.  Detroit  also  had  raiscid  between  §30,000  and  §  10,000, 
and  Mr.  Q.  F.  I5a;,'ley,  in  vosporae  to  a  re((iioHt,  replied  that  he  >vonld,  aschairinnn  of 
the  committee,  forward  81"."00  worth  of  lumber  at  once,  this  boin,;  much  needed. 
Major  IX  0.  Houston  of  the  EnjTinoer  Corps,  U.  S.,  wrote  some  admirable  sugj^'ostions 
on  the  rooonstnictiiiu  of  Cliica<fo — a  few  ext.act.s  being  interesting:  — 

"  Where  the  wliole  city  to  be  laid  out  anew  the  natural  features  oi'  the  country  and 
the  railroad  communications  would  point  to  the  south  side  as  the  centre.  The  business 
o|)eratioiis  will  commence  liere  and  radiate  as  heretofore  to  the  southwest  and  north, 
but  more  10  the  south,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  communication  is  iiitorrupicd  by 
iiatur.il  obstacles.  Into  this  centre  hundieds  of  thousands  of  people  wi!!  pour  daily, 
ccjinlnji  from  the  rcsideiico  portion  of  the  city,  the  suburbs  and  the  whole  country. 
*****  Two  or  three  hours  of  the  day  are  cousuniod  in  traveling 
to  and  fio,  and  owinar  to  the  crowd.s  in  the  streets,  the  contracted  markets,  and  places 
of  exchan:;e.  the  Uiuo  requiici  to  transact  business  is  doubled  and  trebled.  Now  the 
points  which  seem  to  me  to  be  considered  at  this  time  and  be  fully  provided  for  are, 
first,  the  laying  out  of  certain  lines  for  steam  comiimnication  from  the  centre  of  busi- 
ness lo  the  suburbs,  to  be  so  arranged  as  not  to  obstruct  the  street  travel  or  be  hiter- 
rupted  by  it,  *  *  ♦  *  *  Second,  the  arrangement  of  commodious 
and  central  depots  for  the  great  lines  of  railroads  cenlerring  in  the  city.  Third,  a 
commodious  levoe  along  the  river  for  jiublic  docks,  a  grand  market  and  a  grand  plaza 
where  all  can  go  without  paying  tribute.  *****  Fourth,  the 
great  leading  lines  of  businciis  should  be  consolidated  or  concentrated  on  certain 
streets  runnsng  north  and  kouth.  There  should  be  a  financial  centre,  a  dry  goods 
centre,  a  hardware  centre,  &c.  Fifth,  an  open  squa.e  for  public  meetings  and  out- 
door business;  The  Court  House  Square  suggests  itself  at  once.  Let  the  Court  Iliuise 
go  further  south,  and  leave  the  present  square  open.  Let  it  be  surrounded  by  banks, 
brokers'  offices,  &o.,  and  thei<e  will  be  room  for  everybody." 

Every  reader  as  a  general  thing  has  seen  some  map  of  what  imrportod  to  bo  an 
exact  and  reliable  de?iCriptiou  of  the  burned  district ;  some  of  these  wore  good,  otho'  s 
vile  and  entirely  inaccurate  ;  they  either  destroyed  the  entire  city  or  not  enough  of  it, 
slashing  a  streak  of  ruin  where  no  ruin  existed,  and  designating  portions  saved  which 
smouldered  in  ashes.  Cliicago,  liowever,  is  so  well  known,  its  toiiograiihy  havig  been 
carefully  studied  for  years  past  by  business  men,  that  it  is  unnecessary  to  enter  upon  a 
lengthy  description  of  tlia  favored  Prairie  City  of  the  West — which  occupies  a  level 
])Iain,  tlie  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  at  that  point,  running  nearly  north  and  south. 
From  the  north-west  and  south-west,  and  becoming  nearly  parallel  to  the  lake  shore, 
the  north  branch  and  the  south  braiich  of  the  Chicago  River  come  at  right  angles  to  a 
junction,  forming  the  main  channel,  three-quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  shore,  thence 
flowing  east  to  the  lake.  By  this  impediment,  the  city  is  divided  into  three  sections, 
popularly  known  as  the  North  Division,  the  South  Division  and  the  West  Division. 
Edwards  in  his  compilation  states  the  population  to  be:  North  Division  75,000,  West 
D.v;.-:*on  125,000,  South  Division  100,000,  making  up  the  total  of  300,000.  Settlement 
beguii  about  old  Fort  Dearborn,  on  the  lake  shore,  one  of  the  log  structures  of  which 
passed  away  in  the  great  conflagration.    Business  gradually  moved  westward  toward 


54  lUr'TOUV  OF  THE  fillEAT  FIHK  IN  ('IU«A*iU. 

,hofo-k  of  tin.  ,iv..,-.  outside  .ho  Govcnm.ent  .oM-vva.ion  1mmuu1..1  l.v  SuUo  svreou 

r;;a:;voM..i„u.;.,.i.Usn.u.un.s,  of  a  V.e..ntio,.  c.,s.  ,u  tU.-  -'-r.;--  -^ 
AV..,o,.  ..ul  Kinzie  .,v.o.,  pnn.Uel  to  the  nvev.  Tw.,.y-.v.  y<a,-s  "^'>.  '-;*-■  ^ 
nu<-s„„n  w:-,s  .r,ti..l  fo,-  all  tiu..,  ona>r,.!ly  l^y  connum  co.scu.,  l.U  H.ue  .ol.dly  co,> 
L  ;  y  th.  U..„ion  Of  .1.  va;i.ay  tenu.n,  tl.t  the  re.ion  ..o...  the  uv..  ...U  .ajd 
a  2  th  .nko  s„o,o,  .....Uutiu.  U.  uppevpo.uon  of  tho  «'-",^>-'-'^"';::  ^^^ 
b„si„os.  hoavt  of  rid.nuo,  Uk  southern  lino  n,ovin.  .ou.lnvard  w.lL  the  pro.r... ol  uu- 

provenionts. 

And  now  we  close  ,hiH:huniediy  wnUon  .ketch  of  a  .vent  Natio.r.l  calamity 
■SnAU,  THEBK  B.  A  KKW  CincA..oV  Men  alvendy  n.k  this  si.nTu-nn,  unest.ou;  wo 
b  ,  orthere  .iU  he  n  new  Chic..o-  ne.  so  far  as  stately  edifices,  cn.elnlly  planned 
r  idenceB  „,a«sive  .avehonsos-evected  upon  siies  now  vast  wildernesses  of  a.he^ 
an  n  ke  t  new;  hut  the  n.n  of  to-day  will  he  at  the  helm,  and  tho  beaut.ful  Garden 
C  y'u  bloom  .:i.h  verdure  for  them  during  their  prime  and  ndvancmg  n.e ;  they 
.  n  ,00k  back  with  pride  and  «ay  to  those  sprindn«  np-"This  was  once  a  rum-m 

oflM  at  us  for  ho  .in«  to  see  old  landmarks  of  business  ^^^^^^^r^  ^^ 
.-e  accon.p.ished  the  work,  we  fu-fllled  our  mission    and  we  t'^-'^-    ^^^^^.^/^fj^ 
the  ashes  m:,y  sweep  over  desolated  districts,  but  the  lake  .s  not  A.y,  ^^J'^^^^n^^ 
are  not  as  ihinss  of  .he  past ;  tho  great  Northwest  is  a  fnend  and  pation      <  omme.ce 
:::,ed.es  her  sway,ld  this  hour  Chicago's  credit  and  l'-;;-™^;^    ^ 
The  men  who  built  €hica:^o  will  build  it  agai.i;  hut  the  city  wdl  be  more  careful  y 
p^n    l\vhenITa.ssman  reconstructed  Paris,  he  destroyed  property  o    nnmense 
^  :    hut  now  Chicago  stands  as  a  virgin  soil  ready  for  the  ^^f^^fl^^^^^ 
tho  builder.    Let  commissioners-not  the  old  fogy  descnption  of   comm,  s.oners 
a.W  pay  and  doing  nothing-be  appointed,  lot  competent  men  be  entrusted  wUh 
T:X  L  ere  the  tenth  annual  anniversary  of  .be  awful  fire  ^^^^^^^^ 
will  indeed  prove  to  all  nations  that  their  sympathies  were  ^^^^'^J^^ 
wisely  bestowed.   The  hearts,  the  will,  the  energiesare  t^---.'^-^NEWLmcAoos  laHbo 
again  built  up  by  those  who  planted  her  first  great  commercal  corner  so  .,      ,  .a  ,  ty 
not  more  th.n  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago;  they  will  have  lear-ned  a  ^^^^^^ 
that  lesson  down  to  their  children-a  bitter  lesson  though  .t  he;  ^^^^J^^^ 
the  ordeal  purified,   and  with  mardy  ^^  --:; /;rr ^ l" :r : 

:-;,:dZ;r.:x:r:^:::^:--^^^^^ 

pettod-yet  tender  and  loving-daughters  of  tho  sficken  w,ll  '^^^^^^^^ 
milliner  and  tho  fascinating  watering  place-one  and  all  Jo,n,ng  m  «'«  8-  ^^J^ 
which  assuredly  precedes  success-nnd  one  and  all  remembenng  ^f'^^^';:^ 
worldly.prosperity  and  goodly  possessions,  the  words  «f  tho  poet  w.H  stand  crue  to 

the  end; —  ,     »>  ...    

'" 'Tis  only  noble  to  bo  good ; 

Kind  hearts  are  more  ihan  cornnets,  •,  ;  ^  _  -  >     ,• 

•  And  simple  faith  than  Nonnttn  blood."    ^  ^  ^    ^^^^    ^  ^^^       ;^  J.«.  *.t- 


by  Suito  sireou 

It.  tllO  I<:lkn  lldUSB 

(Iny,  iilonu  North 
luo,  liov.wt^r,  the 
piiice  !<< :!i(lly  ct>ii- 
i)  livfi-  soiiiliwaul 
sion,  ftlionld  be  tlio 
lie  pr()j!,i'<'!*s  of  ilii- 

Natioiial  calamity. 
icflTil  question;  wo 
,  cnreliilly  planned 
messes  of  ashes — 
B  beautiful  Oardpn 
vancing  nco ;  they 

once  a  ruin— men 
pvise  replaceil,  but 
3uvGo(l."  To-day 
,  tlie  Railway  lines 
latron.  Comnipvce 
ire  luiiinpeachable. 
1  be  more  carefully 
•oi)erty  of  immense 
ir,  the  architect  and 

of  commissioners, 
1  be  entrusted  with 
.lis  around,  Cliicasjo 
1,  tlieir  beneficenco 
EW  Chicago  shall  bo 
■ner  stone,  in  reality 

a  lecson,  and  hand 
ey  will  emorao  from 
lish  the  lahor  before 
I  club  and  (jnniblins 
luso;  tlm  pampered, 
•sa-lie  the  fashionnblo 
n  the  great  strus^le 
hat,  notwithstnnding 
ot  will  stand  true  to 


;^J/~...«.T- 


Al-W" 


1 


I 


Eti 


Si 


I 


USSELL 


lOUSE, 


SITU  ATED 


ON-  oj^isaiFXT^  isA:jLTirrxjj&, 


Opposite  nrw  City  Hall  and  Opera  House, 


ETROIT.  MICH. 


WiTBECK  &  Chittenden, 


Proprietors. 


IF  YOU  WANT  GOOD  RELIABLE 

Boots  and  Shoes, 


First  N 


GO  TO*  Tax 
ATIONAL    >ShOE 


AL   Shoe  Wouse, 

115  Woodward  Avenue,  DETROIT. 


FIFTY  PER  CENT  SAVED  BY  PURCHASING  AT  THIS  PLACL 


..       ^N".    E.    TUNIS,    , 

DETROIT  AND  CHICAGO, 

Railroad  gtationer  and  printer, 

Every  article  uaed  by  Railroads  Bupplied  quickly,  aud  at  Prioea  defying 
Competition.     Samples  and  Eatimates  Furniahed. 

Supplied  with  everything  aold  on  Traioa.     Seud  for  Circular  and  Prioea. 


I" 


ic'>%.77X. 


DETROIT 
SAFE  COMPANY, 


MANUFACTURERS    OF 


Fire  and   Burglar  Proof 

SAFES, 

Vault  Doors  and  Vaults, 

Iron  Doors,  Shutters, 

Tail  Work,  &c. 

AdKNTN  FOB  -^ 

COMBINATION  BANK  LOCKS,  SARGENT'S  POST  OFFICE,   DRAWER  AND    STORE 

DOOR    LOCKS,   &c.    &c. 

FACTORY.  ATWATER  STREET, 

Second  Hand  Safes  for  Sale.  X:>"ElTI^OIT. 


\/p  rcf.T  to  Tappan,  McKilloi'  &  Co.,  mid  A.  L.  Winnk  &  Oo.  Both  of  above  im.l 
our  Hiift'H  in  the  tcrilblo  lire  —  tli.-  liillrr  of  \vh-,.iu  liiiviim  funiishc^.l  us  wilh  tin-  lollow- 

inu  It'tlei',  which  spi'iiks  lor  ilsfll';  ,    ,    ...  .   ,, 

**  " '"    '  '  Offiok  ok  a.  I-.  WlNNl  A  Co., 

Steam  Iloatina  ami  Ventiliitiiiu  Worlds,  114  IJeurborn  St., 
Chioaoo,  Octobur  m,  1871.     ] 

Detroit  Sakk  Oompany  :  .^      ^.      ,  ,    ,^       „  ,,       ...     , 

0,.iits  -.—We  sliip  you  por  M.  C.  R.  R.  our  No.  2  Doiihlc  Door  Sato,  wiuch  plwiso 
reiiair  nsi  you  tliiil  it  to  need.  .,.<..,  i 

This  Siife  has  stood  tlie  test  splendidly.  It  lay  iti)on  its  lace  for  three  days,  in  a  po- 
sition where  tlie  heat  was  ..reater  tlian  at  any  other  point  in  the  pretnises.  A  pile  of 
lon<>  pilie  coils  that  lay  beneath  seenuMl  to  form  an  air  lliie,  inteiisitying  the  heat,  so  as 
to  entirely  melt  the  ends  of  the  coils  that  lay  beneath  the  Safe. 

We  send  you  some  of  the  papers  to  show  the  -ondition  of  llie  conleiils.  The  pa|)ers 
of  another  Safe  Iving  near  this  were  entirely  destroyed. 

We  have  the  utmost  coiiHdence  in  your  tillins;.  The  e.vtra  weight  ol  iron  you  use 
has  not  alone  proved  an  additional  inotection,  but  kept  the  Safe  inla.  t,  so  as  to  be  fit 
for  further  use.  Yours,  respectfully,  .    .    ,,.  „    ,, 

A.   L.   WtNNE   c&    Co, 


Rwhester  Mrg  Co.,  37  k  39  Soulfc  Canal  St.,  Chicago,  have  some  of  our  Safes  on  hand  for  sale.  ^'^ 

Particular  attention  paid  to  the  Manufacture  of  Vault  Doors. 
Circulars  and  Price  Lists  Furnished  on  Application.    "''" 


».,♦., .,.  .«,.>• 


^roof 


tters, 
ork,  &c. 

:awer  and  store 


Both  of  above  Imd 
jil  us  Willi  till-  lolliiw- 


iVlNNl  A  Co., 
ks,  114  IJeiirborn  St., 
Octobur  10,  1871. 


)oi'  Siil'e,  wliicli  pleiise 

r  three  itnys.  in  n  po- 
preiiiisps.  A  pile  of 
il'jiiig  the  heat,  so  as 

30iUelil.s.     The  papers 

iirlit  of  iron  you  u.se 
inta't,  so  as  to  be  (it 

L.  WlNNE  &   Co. 


r  Safes  on  hand  for  sale.  ^ 

[LT  Doors. 


ilication. 


i 


-I  J-i  .        .  J-lt'ili.'JIjfPfiTl 


